VARIOUS members of the Launceston community, many of which were young children, substituted a Monday morning lie in during half term to join Cllr Gemma Massey for a litter pick.

On the morning of Monday, February 18 a group of local volunteers, none of whom lived in the immediate area, but just wanted to give their time for the good of the local community, carried out a litter pick throughout the Ridgegrove estate. Although the weather forecast was not brilliant, the sun was shining all morning.

The group of local families, adults and numerous children walked around Ridgegrove for two hours, collecting litter, also reporting issues including fly tipping and broken glass on public walk ways.

Cllr Gemma Massey, the litter pick’s organiser, spoke after the morning’s work. She said: “It has been a fantastic morning, I was so thrilled to see so many people come out to join in.

“I explained to the group how many of the issues we spotted (and reported) can easily be reported by local residents online via the council website and would be cleared promptly, or of course residents are welcome to report things to me to assist them with.” Cllr Massey was disappointed by the number of dangerous items left out on public footpaths. She continued: “However, the morning has been a great success, we collected over eight bags of rubbish in total, which, thanks to Clean Cornwall and Cornwall Council, will be collected later this afternoon.

“I would like to thank Launceston town council again, for their help lending us the equipment and of course I would like to thank everyone who came out and gave their time this morning.”

A further litter pick was planned for the end of half term in Lanstephen, plus another one has been arranged by the Hurden Way residents for Sunday, March 17. Cllr Massey said: “Volunteers are always welcome to lend a hand, there will be lots of activity in Launceston as spring approaches and the great British spring clean begins. If you have time to spare, please keep an eye out for further details from litter picks, to weeding and planting, there will be something for everyone!”