THREE disused shopping trolleys were piled high with rubbish after a clean-up day at Westlea Park.

Graffiti on a fence was also painted over as a team of volunteers blitzed the area on Saturday.

Swindon councillor Mary Martin, Deputy Mayor Steve Wakefield (both Con, Toothill and Westlea) and Robert Buckland, the Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for South Swindon, joined a handful of residents during a cold and wet day.

But the bad weather was not enough to dampen anyone's spirits.

"We were all cold and wet but it went very well - a great success," said Mr Buckland.

"This was our promise to residents to come back and lend a hand and it's about action, not words. It's important to get out there and do something positive.

"We are getting our hands dirty and making a real change for residents."

One of the residents who helped out was 42-year-old Will Bradfield from Grange Park.

He said: "I'm surprised by how much rubbish there is but at the same time I'm not as I realise fly-tipping goes on.

"It's a shame the park is spoilt by the minority.

"It's a little frustrating, as I was involved in the last clean-up, when you see more graffiti on the fences than when we painted them over last time.

"It's important to look out for the wildlife and make it a more pleasant park for the community."

The last green action day in August was organised after complaints of drug-taking in the play area. It saw 26 people fill 24 bags of rubbish.

At the time wooden fences were repainted and graffiti was removed from the play area.