Around 4.5 tonnes of litter has been singlehandedly removed from a Stoke-on-Trent town in less than five months, due to the work of an environmental ambassador.

Dan Dick has been in post as Stoke Town Environmental Ambassador since August 2025 thanks to the city council's government-funded High Street Accelerator (HSA) programme working in partnership with Stoke-on-Trent City Centre BID (Business Improvement District).

The aim of his role is to keep public spaces clean, safe and well maintained in Stoke town.

Dan said: "The work I do isn't always glamorous and not always appreciated, but this isn't about praise and rewards - I do it because I care.

"Seeing an area improve because you've put the graft in, hearing a shop owner say thanks or walking through somewhere knowing you helped make it better is the real reward.

"Stoke is a great place and we should all take pride in it."

Since his appointment, Dan has collected 4.5 tonnes of rubbish, safely removed 76 needles, removed 18 bedding items, removed 13 pieces of graffiti and reported 25 environmental issues.

Councillor Finlay Gordon-McCusker, cabinet member for transport, infrastructure and regeneration at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: "Dan has worked hard and showed great dedication to keeping the streets of Stoke safe and tackling issues within the town.

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"In just six months, he has already achieved so much and made it a source of pride and an attractive place to live and visit.

"As a city council, we are committed to creating a healthier, safer city for all our residents."

Stoke-on-Trent City Council explained that Stoke was one of 10 towns in the country awarded HSA funding.

A spokesperson for the council said: "The money has been used to revitalise the town centre.

"It has funded many things, including greenspace schemes, heritage projects, murals and trails."