Radcliffe Litter Pickers spent their bank holiday Monday helping to remove litter and rubbish throughout the town centre.

A total of 41 group members, including borough businesses, councillors and residents teamed up at the Big Help Out as part of the King’s coronation weekend.

Despite the rain, the group managed to collect a total of 66 bags of litter in one hour.

Any larger items that had been fly-tipped were reported to the council to be removed.

Gill Smith, an organiser of the event, said: “I’m trying to get local businesses to be responsible for their own area because it’s too much for us to keep doing.

"We need more people to help out.”

Gill has been appealing for more volunteers to help them with their monthly clean-ups.

She said: “It was a great turnout this time, we usually only get 20-25 people.

"We want to encourage younger ones to come along. Everyone gets on really well and we try to have a get-together after each one.”

Bury Times: Radcliffe Litter Pickers on the Big Help Out Radcliffe Litter Pickers on the Big Help Out (Image: Leslie Stott)

Businesses try and encourage people to participate by providing freebies, such as free food and drink.

Kids who attend are given free activity packs and badges.

Radcliffe Market also opened especially for the litter pickers to enjoy a drink afterwards.

Gill said: “Because there aren’t pubs or community areas to go to, rubbish can just accumulate on the street. A lot of it is fast food packaging.

“All the litter is left in the centre of Radcliffe. Any quiet streets that are hidden from view are fly-tipping hotspots.

"There’s also loads in the Dunelm car park.

“Without camera footage or evidence, it’s really hard to pin it on people. More cameras would help but they can cost.”