This morning volunteers are giving up their time to help keep Mauao beautiful, in a clean-up organised by the Western Bay Wildlife Trust.

It's a way of giving back to the mountain that gives thousands of locals and tourists such pleasure every year.

Western Bay Wildlife Trust chair Julia Graham says the community response has been amazing.

'We'll be holding more clean-ups during the year. If you can't make it for Valentine's Day this year we'll be doing it again next year,” she says.

"Although it would be good if people made environmentally-friendly choices and not create rubbish to pick up in the first place."

Julia says last year 80 bags of rubbish were collected which were separated into recycling.

The trust recommends people take their own coffee cups to cafes, use paper bags instead of plastic and take their own bags to supermarkets.

"The trustees put so much effort in, giving up hours and hours to organise and run this event. And without the incredible community support it wouldn't have happened.”

Doug Guthrie turned up with his family, including grandchildren, and says it's a pleasure to help out.

'We walk around the Mount a lot so we wanted to give something back.”

The Guthrie family, from left: Shanon, Michelle, Cooper (6), Doug, and Camryn (7).