Cleaning-up a Chippenham estate could become an annual event following its success last month.

Residents in the Charter Road and Royal Close area armed themselves with rubber gloves, bin bags and dustpans and brushes and set to work helping Sovereign Housing Association staff on February 17.

They collected 30 bags of rubbish and also removed items of furniture and white goods that had been fly-tipped in the streets and playing field.

Also taking part in the event were GreenSquare, Wiltshire Council, Wiltshire Police, Wiltshire Time Credits, The Rise Trust and Station Hill Baptist Church.

The church has been doing a monthly litter pick there for the past two years.

Associate minister Simon Philpott, who coordinated the church team, said: “It’s the first time so many organisations have been involved and we’ve all come together to make it a better place for the residents.

“We believe someone needs to care for the estate and the people in it. They have no shops or community centre. When we first got involved there was dog mess and litter everywhere.

“I hope now it looks better people will appreciate it a bit more.”

Scott Jacobs-Lange, Sovereign’s community investment coordinator, said: “We recently acquired the properties around Charter Road from another landlord and we wanted to do something that would improve the local area and help to build community spirit. The spring clean was a great place for us to start.

"Lots of local people came along and had a chance to get to know each other, as well as showing how much they care about the environment their homes are in. And it was great to see so many younger residents taking part.”

The Baptist Church is to hold a free fun day on the estate on May Day Bank Holiday, May 5, with sports games, bouncy castle and barbecue.