VOLUNTEERS have been praised for helping to clean up Middleton-in-Teesdale.
Middleton-in-Teesdale and Newbiggin Parish Council organised a litter pick last month.
Despite the wet weather, 16 people turned out to help pick up litter and clear tree debris from the village greens.
Parish clerk Judith Mashiter said: “There were 16 volunteers altogether. There were 20-odd bags of rubbish collected. Let’s hope it stays that way.”
Cllr Christine Gilbert said: “I can’t believe how much we got done in such a short time.”
Cllr Sue Bainbridge added: “It might be nice to do it again before carnival weekend with all the visitors we get.”
Equipment was loaned from Durham County Council who collected the bagged rubbish. However, councillors are considering buying their own litter picking tools.
Cllr John Miller said: “If we were to do it again, is there any mileage in getting our own pickers? We could get them out as and when we decide to go out rather than going through Durham County Council. High viz jackets and pickers can’t cost very much.”
Chairman Cllr Adam Hearn said: “I think maybe we can keep borrowing them for now. If we were saying we were going to do ten events a year then maybe we could think about buying some.”
