Islington's longest-serving sweeper proves he still has plenty of Va-Va-BROOM, even after 21 years on the job. <br><br>David Staff has pushed his barrow 25,000km – more than four times the distance to New York. <br> <br>Over two decades, the dedicated street cleaner has worn through 42 pairs of boots, 84 brushes and has picked up a staggering 600 tonnes of litter.<br><br>In fact, there isn't a single street in Islington David hasn't swept. <br><br>But the 61-year-old brushes off any praise, saying: "It's just a great job – and a good way to stay fit and healthy in the great outdoors. <br><br>"It's sociable too as I get the chance to speak to residents, which means I know just how important clean streets are to them. <br><br>"I may have been doing this for 21 years – but I have no plans to retire!" <br><br>Cllr Greg Foxsmith, Islington Council's Executive Member for Environment, said: "Thanks to dedicated sweepers like David, our streets are cleaner than ever before. <br><br>"They're out there tackling chewing gum and graffiti whatever the weather to make Islington a great environment for everyone." <br><br>Islington council has 165 staff in sweeping teams who clean around 200 tonnes of waste off the streets every month. <br><br>ENDS <br><br>For more information please call Chris Weeks on 020 7527 3032<br><br>PICTURE: Streetsweeper David in action
Page Last Updated: 17 December 2009