VOLUNTEERS in a village near Easingwold collected 40 sacks of rubbish when they took part in a mass litter-pick.

Tholthorpe Women's Institute organised the clean-up and members were helped by volunteers of all ages. Hambleton District Council supplied equipment.

The volunteers filled two trailers with rubbish and they even had to deal with four pieces of asbestos piping which had been dumped.

"We were amazed at the amount of rubbish we collected," said Jean Hammond, president of Tholthorpe WI. "A great deal of it will have been flung into the hedgerows and on to the grass verges of our picturesque village from passing cars.

"We want to say a big thank you to both our volunteers and to the council for the equipment."

The council has litter-picking equipment it can lend to villages or communities to clean up their area. Call the council's street scene manager, John Proud, on 01609-788112 or email streets@hambleton.gov.uk.