BURNLEY MP Gordon Birtwistle joined staff from McDonald’s restaurants in Burnley to help clean up a playground.

Armed with litter pickers and paint brushes, the 20-strong team spruced up the Bevington Close play area and added a fresh lick of paint to the woodwork and play equipment.

McDonald’s franchisee Victor Arciniega joined forces with the Vanguard Community Centre to lead the clean-up.

The team, along with volunteers and children from the centre, also helped to clear litter around Keppel Place, Burnham Gate and along the canal.

Mr Arciniega said: “The outdoor play area had begun to look a bit tired and we wanted to make it into an area that children could enjoy once again.

“Events like these aim to encourage the community to take pride in our local environment. It’s inspiring to see so many volunteers join forces to take action in our local community and help create clean, attractive areas that everyone can enjoy.

“We were also very grateful for the support provided by local staff from ScrewFix and Lifestyle Fitness as well as members of Trinity neighbourhood policing team.

“I’d like to thank my team and everyone else involved for their hard work and for setting a good example of what can be achieved if people pull together. Due to the success of this event, we are looking to rejuvenate the local vegetable patch in the centre.”

Mr Birtwistle said: “I am delighted to support McDonald’s for this event to upgrade the local playground, with Vanguard Community Centre, and the organised litter pick in the area.

“Good neighbours, companies or individuals, are vital to sustaining all communities in Burnley.”

A number of McDonald’s clean-up events are taking place across the country as part of Keep Britain Tidy’s anti-littering campaign, ‘Love Where You Live’.