Local residents joined staff from a local housing association to give an estate in Chippenham a much-needed spring clean.

As part of an initiative by Sovereign Housing Association, residents in the Charter Road area armed with rubber gloves, dustpans and brushes and bin bags to tidy up.

And by the end of last Monday, they had removed 30 bags of rubbish and several larger items from the local streets and a nearby playing field.

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

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.”

Sovereign Housing Association, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, is one of the largest housing associations in the south and south west of England, owning and managing more than 37,500 homes.