A 'Beautiful Tonga Clean Up' campaign held earlier this year has presented new lawnmowers to eight villages who did the best clean up work in Tongatapu.

The nationwide campaign initiated by the Ministry of Tourism is to empower villages to keep Tonga clean.

Minister of Tourism Hon ‘Akosita Lavulavu, who presented the lawnmowers today, commended the town/district officers and various groups for their hard work.

She also hoped that this lifestyle is passed on to younger generations in order to sustain a clean environment.

The eight lawnmowers were awarded to the villages of Lapaha and Fatumu (eastern district); Kolovai and Matahau (western district), Malapo and Lomaiviti (central district) and Kolomotu'a and Hofoa (Nuku'alofa district).

The clean up campaign inspection was carried out by Tourism in March and today's ceremony was to thank the villagers for their efforts.

A similar clean up campaign has been carried out in the outer islands.