'Fantastic community' spring cleans town

"A fantastic community" pulled together on Sunday to scrub up a Worcestershire town ahead of the summer tourist season.

Organiser Steve Dunwell said Upton upon Severn was looking "pretty grubby after the winter" and encouraged volunteers to join him in a spring clean.

He said: "We've had a great day with between 30 and 40 volunteers working in groups, litter picking, cleaning the High Street and cleaning our Riverfront."

Severn Area Rescue Association also pledged to support the clean up on 8 April by collecting rubbish from the river that had washed downstream during floods.

Helpers answered the call to turn up with brooms at The Kings Head pub on Sunday morning to remove mud from the river front, sweep pavements and clean shop fronts.

Dunwell said the event went well, adding: "Our Worcestershire County Councillor Martin Allen came and worked hard with us cleaning our seating area by the river."

"We've got an absolutely fantastic community in Upton," he said. "People are always really happy to step up and help."

He said the response demonstrated residents' pride in their town.

"It's all about friends coming together and just getting on and doing some good stuff for the town."

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