CREWE Clean Team recovered a staggering 40 bags of rubbish in a single area as they braved the cold to spruce up the town for the festive season.

Due to commitments in December and the unpredictability of January weather, 15 members of Crewe Clean Team converged on Mill Street for one final clean-up before Christmas.

Luckily the day saw no rain – though members did feel the chill.

The team started at Pedley Street and started to work their way down, though their progress was stunted as they were forced to spend 90 minutes in the vicinity of CES Car Parts.

Working in the bushes and over the waste ground near Wickes, the team filled 31 sacks with general rubbish, four with bottles, which were taken to the bottle bank and five with cans, which will be recycled.

Staff from The Royal Hotel then provided complimentary tea, coffee and toast for the volunteers after the litter pick.

David McDonald, Crewe Clean Team chairman, said: “As always, our outing was only necessary because there are hundreds – if not thousands – of instances of littering in our town every day.

“Each one is against the law and is punishable by a fine.

“We are very happy to contribute to the 'Task and Finish Group' being proposed by Cheshire East Council Environment Scrutiny Committee and the 'task force' mentioned by Crewe Town Council in their Economic Development Committee meeting on November 2.”

Mr McDonald also called on the authorities to provide a definite statement stating that they prepared to put the effort in to prosecute litterers/fly-tippers.

A spokesman for Cheshire East Council said: “We are an enforcing authority and we will seek to prosecute anyone found to be littering, which is an anti-social act.”

If you would like to volunteer for or find out more about Crewe Clean Team, email enquiries@crewecleanteam.co.uk