COLEY Park residents were out in force with their litter pickers as they spent the weekend in a clean-up day.

Volunteers turned up at the Wensley Road high-rise flats on Saturday to help with a range of activities, including litter picking, raking and collecting clippings.

Every volunteer who participated earned £10 for the Coley Towers Residents Association or Coley Park Community Association.

Robert Gunter, chairman of Coley Park Community Association, said: "It went really well and the feedback I have had was really positive.

"The idea behind it is to keep the neighbourhood and the area clean.

"It is an annual thing we do each year and some of the council were there too to help.

"We picked up quite a few things in the area that people did not want and from that point of view it was a success and we hope to continue it.

"Everyone there was a volunteer and I would like to thank everyone personally who made the effort to come out."

Neighbours were encouraged to bring out any larger items they wanted to get rid of that could not be picked up on normal collections.

Donning high vis jackets and litter pickers the community cleaners gave the park and surrounding area a sweep to get rid of any unwanted waste cluttering the neighbourhood.

Officers from the council's street care, housing and parks departments were on site to carry out tasks such as hedge cutting, removing fly tipping, collecting electrical items, jet washing bin areas and kerb sweeping.

Cllr Liz Terry, Reading's lead councillor for neighbourhoods, said: "This is not only a great opportunity to give the area a good clean but for neighbours to get together.

"There is the added incentive that residents who turn up and volunteer will bring in £10 for their community associations."