'TWO MILLION leaves' were swept up by volunteers at a town park.

Beavers, Cubs and Scouts joined other residents for the winter clean-up at Wantage's Betjeman Millennium Park on Saturday, December 2.

Now the trustees who look after the green haven are looking forward to turning over more new leaves in 2018.

Trustee John Vandore, who helped organised the leaf-sweep, said: "The two million leaves gathered on December 2 were counted by the 1st King Alfred Beavers, Cubs and Scouts.

"Thank you to them and to everyone who took part in the leaf clearing.

"And indeed, it’s time to say thank you to everyone who played any part in helping us this year, from picking litter to planting and mowing and raking and organising – you have been fantastic.

"We can look back on a brilliant year."

Among the park's big events of 2017, it received a visit from sculptor Alec Peever, who created the monolithic stones in the park bearing the poetry of the park's namesake John Betjeman, who lived a stone's throw away for many years.

The trustees also hosted the summer Art in the Park and Cycling UK lead another annual Betjeman Bike Ride.

They also recruited a new archivist and the park's first ever student trustee from King Alfred's Academy in Wantage – Amelia Taylor.

Mr Vandore said: "Next year should be good too: anyone in need of practice at weeding is especially welcome, but we’ll be embarking on some tree and path work with the benefit of town council support and we’re planning more events – Poetry in the Park with the Betjeman Society and Science in the Park with STFC."