COMMUNITY spirited residents took part in two litter picks to clean up part of their town.

A dozen residents collected 43 bags of rubbish and other dumped items including furniture and signs during two hours of voluntary work at Dell Wood, Bishop Auckland.

Pupils at King James Academy managed to collect 15 bags of rubbish from the same area, which is near their school, in a separate litter pick.

Both events were held in April as part of the Litter Free Durham Big Spring Clean annual campaign which sees Durham County Council and Darlington Borough Council work with volunteers to improve the environment.

Resident Martha McBarron said: “It proved to be more than just a litter pick, as near neighbours and friends old or new had a chance to meet and catch up with each other while working together.

“Many of us walk in the woods on a regular basis and with the litter removed, we can now really enjoy the springtime beauty of the wood.”

Residents are working with the Wear Rivers Trust to plan other activities on the Gaunless river, anyone interested in helping can email kmcbarron@tiscali.co.uk