Litter pickers tackled a section of the Windrush River in Witney as part of the national Big Tidy Up campaign.

Staff from West Oxfordshire District Council, Oxfordshire Waste Partnership (OWP) and Fox FM joined local group Witney Woodland Volunteers (WWV) for the clean-up.

Last night WWV spokesman Juliet Curry said the event had been a success and thanked all the helpers.

The group collected 28 bags of litter — nine of which were recycled — one abandoned bicycle and part of an old shopping trolley.

Mrs Curry said: "Keeping the area free from litter means many more people can appreciate the true charm of the area.

"We chose an area in the middle of Witney, opposite Waitrose and Sainsbury's. It was filthy, but we had more than 20 people and left the place looking great."

Oxfordshire Waste Partnership, which comprises the county's five district councils and county council, supplied the volunteers with litter-picking equipment.

The community clean-up, which took place on Monday, followed similar events in the county organised as part of the Big Tidy Up campaign, which continues until the end of the month.

OWP chairman John Tanner said the partnership hoped for a big push before then. He said: "The enthusiastic community groups taking part in the Big Tidy Up here are making a real difference."

To find out more about Keep Britain Tidy's Big Tidy Up campaign visit www.oxfordshirewaste.gov.uk or call 01295 221916.

Witney Woodland Volunteers meets on Mondays at 10am. To volunteer, or for more information, call Juliet Curry on 01993 702202.