Four hundred people were caught littering at Valletta within the space of 90 minutes yesterday. But instead of being fined, they each received a flower from a girl guide.

As part of the three-day clean-up activity organised by the environment ministry, 12 girl guides set out on a clean-up mission in Valletta.

Whenever they saw someone littering, the girls, aged 11 to 13, handed them a flower with a note attached which read: "We need your help too, please do not litter."

The unsuspecting participants were also given a phone number which they could call to participate in the clean-up campaign.

Many of those who dropped items such as papers, bus tickets and cigarette stubs, were not even aware what they had done: "What's this for?" and "Oh, never mind, it's just a small piece of paper," were some of the comments.

The activity seems to have had a positive effect, however, as some people acknowledged they had done something wrong.

Most guides stayed close to the bus terminus, while others went to Merchants Street and Republic Street.

Tamara Schembri, 13, explained that the environment was always on the girl guide agenda but this event made the issue fun.

Rural Affairs Minister George Pullicino said: "We wanted to hit people in a positive way."

Other initiatives saw at least 150 McDonalds employees clean up Għajn Tuffieħa and 100 people clear out the cart ruts at San Ġwann. Thirty bags were filled with tyres, glass bottles and iron metal pieces recovered from the sea bed at Wied iż-Żurrieq.