COUNCIL worker Keith Wright is hoping to clean up in a nationwide search for Britain's best public servant.

Mr Wright, 38, pictured, is a familiar figure in Pontypool - for 22 years he has been keeping the town centre spick and span.

For the past 22 years he has been keeping the town centre spick and span.

His dedication to duty with Torfaen council's environmental maintenance section has led to him being nominated for the government-run Public Servant of the Year Award and he met Prime Minister Tony Blair at 10 Downing Street earlier this month.

The nomination for the cleansing operative came after he was presented with the Mayor's Work in the Community Award at an achievement awards ceremony for council staff last year. Colleagues felt his hard work should be rewarded even further.

Councillor Marlene Thomas, chairman of the contract services working party, said: "Keith's commitment to the cleanliness of Pontypool town centre is legendary.

"He acts as an environmental inspector for the town centre and monitors standards whether he is in work or on holiday.

"He shows an attention to detail that makes the difference between efficiency and excellence."

Modest Mr Wright, of Uplands Drive, Trevethin, said: "Although my name's been put down, without the boys in our department I wouldn't be able to do my job. They deserve a bit of recognition, too, as it's a team effort."

He added: "I do take pride in my work and I still enjoy it. A lot of people are running Pontypool down, but it's a lovely market town.

"It can be dirty first thing in the morning, but when I get in there and clean it, it gives me a great sense of achievement. It's a challenge, but I like a challenge!"

Out in all weathers, he begins work three hours before his official start of 10am to open public toilets and clean the mess left overnight in the Riverside car park.

Torfaen's deputy leader, Councillor Bob Wellington, said: "People's conception of councils is of councillors and officers, but it's the people out there right the way through the year, doing the job - they're the people who matter."