Volunteers from the small community near Midsomer Norton were prepared for a cold, wet day according to the forecast, but the weather was kind, which helped to attract eighteen villagers from eight to 78 years-of-age.

Over the course of two hours, the group managed to fill 25 large sacks full of rubbish, and identified several spots where household and building waste had been fly-tipped. Afterwards, the community local heroes were restored with tea, coffee and homemade cake in the Village Hall.

Around 80% of the rubbish collected was plastic bottles, drinks cans and plastic wrapping, such as that used for sandwiches, pasties and crisps.

Event Organiser and Parish Councillor, Steve Huckle, said: “We are lucky to live in a lovely place with a good sense of community spirit, which really shows in the high turnout for our small village. It’s just a shame that the event is necessary and that good-hearted people have to pick up other people’s rubbish and to be frank, some of the things we had to deal with were pretty disgusting. We organise this event a couple of times a year if we can.

“We get great support through Mendip District Council and their partner The Landscape Group, who provide us with high visibility safety vests, rubbish sacks and grabbers that help us reach into the hedgerows and hard to reach spots.

“They also arrange to take away everything we collect and remove the fly tipping that we identify. I would encourage other village or town groups to get together to make a local difference like we do and I know B&NES provide similar support to Mendip for local litter picking events.”

For more information, please visit: mendip.gov.uk/litterpicks or email: [email protected]