Residents in a town took part in a mass clear-up at the weekend.

The Comet: The team at Whinbush RoadThe team at Whinbush Road (Image: Archant)

Volunteers, young and old, came together in the Big Hitchin Tidy Up with more than 60 volunteers taking part.

Litter in parks and open spaces, residential streets and verges, footpaths and alleyways was tackled, along with a stretch of river at Cadwell.

The Big Hitchin Tidy Up, co-ordinated by Hitchin Forum, under the Keep Britain Tidy umbrella, brought volunteers out onto 15 different sites in the town.

Campaign co-ordinator Judith Gurney said: “Many people reported having a great time and making a huge difference in their area.”

Footpaths were tackled in various parts of the town, including Westmill, Bearton, Benslow, Highbury and around the perimeter of the cricket ground, yielding huge quantities of litter, with volunteers able to recycle large caches of cans and bottles.

Parks and open spaces which got close attention include Ransom’s Recreation Ground, Pinehill Field, Woodside and The Dell.

At Butts Close Friends of Butts Close and young people from Christchurch collected 10 big bags with rubbish and recyclables.

Elsewhere, residents cleaned their streets and verges, including Balmoral Road, Whinbush Road and the Sainsbury’s access, the service road off Old Park Road, around Woodcote House and St Michael’s Road.

Residents of Charlton tackled Willow Lane and part of the Priory bypass which was made more accessible due to the road works currently underway.

Ellie Clarke from Hitchin Forum said: “The biggest haul of all was from the river at Cadwell, which was last done two years ago. Volunteers donned waders and pulled all manner of items from the river, including a large garden trellis and a heavy hammer. One can only wonder how they got there.

“We are also very grateful for all the external support we’ve had. This was a town-wide project and has been publicised and promoted by the Comet, supported by Hitchin Initiative providing insurance cover and by North Herts District Council providing black bags and follow-up collection of rubbish bags. It’s been a very successful partnership effort which we hope can continue.”

Mrs Gurney added: “Everyone worked incredibly hard and we are very grateful for their efforts, because without them, this couldn’t have happened. Several volunteers also remarked how enjoyable and satisfying the work was, and are already asking when the next Big Hitchin Tidy Up will be.”