PC KEVIN Bennett, Bude Neighbourhood Beat Officer, was invited to a litter pick at the wooded area between the town's Agnes Close and Kings Hill Industrial Estate on Monday, July 26.

Upon his arrival he was met by Cllr Louise Emo and several young people who were getting into the spirit of things.

Among the items found were a couple of tyres, kitchen tiles and general household waste. The area had been an under-used, overgrown waste land and a general dumping ground for those who couldn't be bothered to dispose of their waste thoughtfully.

Several weeks ago PC Bennett was asked if would be possible to obtain the support of the probation services and involve those completing a community service order in helping clean up the area.

He said: "I thought the idea was fantastic so I contacted North Devon Probation Service who were more than receptive to the idea. They came down to Bude and completed a risk assessment within a couple of days and went to work almost immediately. The first I knew that work had started was when I was approached by members of the public praising the initiative.

"A local resident told me that she works on Kings Hill Industrial Estate but hasn't used the footpath because the area was all overgrown and to put it in her words, 'I didn't feel safe'.

"Much of the undergrowth has now been cut back well away from the foot path making the area less gloomy and more user friendly."

Kings Hill Industrial Estate has also been the subject of occasional crime and vandalism and this area has often been used as an escape route due to the natural overgrown cover that it has provided for escape. Now that the area is being tidied up those wishing to cause damage or dump rubbish will have nowhere to hide and the chances of being identified have dramatically increased.

PC Bennett added: "I'm looking forward to popping up to the area periodically to see how it's developing and hopefully it will once again be an area that the whole community can put to good use."