A group of around 20 residents, youngsters and community representatives from the Whaley Bridge area have teamed up to help clear a local beauty spot.

The group gave up a few hours of their time last Sunday morning (February 13) to carry out a litter pick around the Whaley Bridge Canal Basin.

It was set up by the Whaley Bridge Association to help boost lottery funding for skate park improvements in Whaley Bridge, with youngsters collecting sponsorship for the pick.

They collected approximately 15 bags of rubbish, which consisted of mostly plastic bottles, snack wrappers and packaging and polystyrene food containers.

Also taking part were PCSO Tracy Jones and Special Constable Fiona Whitwell of the Whaley Bridge and Furness Vale Safer Neighbourhood Policing Team and the store manager of the local Tesco supermarket.

Safer Neighbourhood Team Sergeant Tim Barlow said: “This has been a great way to work in partnership with the local community to give the canal basin a clear up and we would like to say thank you all the volunteers the youngsters who took part in the litter pick for offering their time to help improve their area.

 “The canal basin is there for the whole community to enjoy and I hope that people will acknowledge their hard work and make a special effort to help keep it that way.”

The Whaley Bridge and Furness Vale Safer Neighbourhood Policing Team are also currently targeting issues around anti-social and nuisance behaviour around the canal tow path.

Officers are working alongside canal boat owners to run a successful boat watch scheme, where boat owners are offered crime prevention advice and support while improving communication links between the police and each other.

Monies are still being collected towards the skate park and future fundraising events are being planned. If you would like to donate towards the skate park project or to lend your support to the fundraising please contact Jonathan Carnell of the Whaley Bridge Association by email to jonathancarnall@hotmail.com.