A COMMUNITY on the northern edge of Hereford has been given a spring clean resulting in 20 bags of rubbish being collected in a litter pick organised by Holmer and Shelwick Parish Council.

More than 20 volunteers turned out for the first clear up exercise in the parish.

Council chairman Mark Millmore said: "We were delighted with the number of volunteers and hope to make it an annual event. It was good so see the parish looking so tidy and it would be wonderful if the public – and especially motorists who throw drinks cans and food cartons out of the car windows – would get into the habit of taking their rubbish home with them."

All the equipment needed for the litter pick was loaned by Herefordshire Council contractors, Balfour Beatty Living Places and refreshments for the volunteers was provided by the women of Holmer WI who were thanked by organiser, Sally Robertson.

George Thomas of Hereford in Bloom said: "If Hereford is to retain its Gold Medal status in the Britain Bloom competition every community across the city will need to follow the example set by Holmer and Shelwick and keep their own neighbourhoods tidy. We can no longer expect Herefordshire Council to do it for us."