A GROUP of Tottington residents are pulling together in a bid to tidy up their village.

The Tottington Litter Pickers group was set up by Jane Edyvean, who lives in Bury Road, in April after being inspired by the efforts of the Litter Picking Ramsbottom group.

Ms Edyvean, aged 52, explained: “We saw what they were doing and thought let’s do something similar in Tottington.

“Myself and my husband walk our dog down the Kirklees Trail two or three times a week. Seeing the rubbish in the lodges and in the hedgerows is unpleasant, and is damaging for our wildlife.

"If it ends up in our streams, it will end up in the Irwell, then in the sea eventually.”

So far, the group have held seven organised picks, while others, including Ms Edyvean, also carry them out on an individual basis.

“I’m keen to make more people aware of the problems that we have with littering in and around our towns, villages and countryside,” said Ms Edyvean.

“I’d like people to understand that their rubbish won't just go away and obviously the council don’t have the resources to constantly clear up after everyone.

"We need to take responsibility for our own communities.”

During one of the group’s most recent clean-ups, at Carcass Lodge, 20 bags of litter were collected, as well as two tents, a chair, a TV, a duvet and tins.

And 30 bags were also collected during a clean up of Island Lodge earlier this year, including seven filled with items that were inside the lodge.

Litter pickers and bags are kept at the Tottington Centre for anyone wishing to carry out a litter pick.

For more information on the group and its litter picks, visit www.facebook.com/groups/159109111422107/.