The couple, of Meon Close in Petersfield, came across the idea of turning rubbish into airmiles while they were planning their honeymoon, which followed their wedding at St Peter's Church in Petersfield during July.

They looked into the idea of turning Tesco Clubcard points into British Airways airmiles but without a large family needing big weekly shopping trips they didn't feel they would be able to accumulate points quickly enough.

However, they discovered that some larger Tesco stores, including the one at Havant, have a special recycling centre where for every four items of plastic/metal deposited in the recycling machine, you receive a green point.

John explained: "So, we got to thinking that if we started to collect as much rubbish for recycling as possible, we might just make enough points to reach our target.

"We were shocked as to just how much rubbish the streets of Petersfield would yield.

"Most nights, for a three month period, Ann and I would roam the streets of Petersfield to clean them up of as much rubbish as we could find and every night we would return home with several sacks full of discarded cans and tins.

"While it was nice to get the rubbish for the good cause, it was disappointing to see there are clearly a lot of litter louts in our town.

"The worst areas were Love Lane, between The Petersfield School and Tesco, Alderfield and near the railway bridge in Frenchmans Road."

By late May the couple had reached their target just in time for the vouchers to arrive and be exchanged for the BA miles.

John added: "It did raise a smile when we were in business class on the flight back from Atlanta to Gatwick to think that the litter louts of Petersfield had paid for the pleasure."

The couple sent in this picture for the Read Around The World competition as well. It was taken in Colorado at the Orient Land Trust.

They are enjoying the clothes-optional hot springs – which ironically the couple say they opted to throw away for this picture.