A PADIHAM landmark has been given a clean sweep thanks to a local community group.

The Perseverance Mill Area Residents’ Group, with support from Calico and Burnley Borough Council, organised the tidy-up day to help clear litter from Bedford Place Park.

Five local residents and eight children joined Coun Jonathan Barker, and Kathryn Davies, Calico’s neighbourhood officer for the area on Saturday, to fill 21 bags of litter.

The children also got the chance to make their own ‘grass heads’ at the event.

After the litter pick all children who took part were rewarded for their hard work with chocolates and sweets.

The Perseverance group was set up as a platform for residents living near the mill, which has blighted the town for many years, to discuss a range of neighbourhood issues including ways to help improve the area.

Kathryn said:“This was the most positive tidy-up event I’ve ever been involved with. Everyone was willing to get stuck in and clean the park — it was great to see so much dedication and pride from the residents.”

Coun Barker, who runs the group, said: “It’s great to see the community getting together to keep their area looking good. There are still a lot of people who take pride in their surroundings, and events like this are proof of that.”

The group meets on the first Monday of every month, from 7pm, at the Shakespeare Pub on Wytham Street.

For more information, call Calico on 0800 169 2407 or 01282 686300.