A VOLUNTARY group hosted its annual end of year town centre clean up.

Civic Pride Rossendale, which was formed over 10 years ago, visited Rawtenstall to clear up the surrounding streets and make them clean for the coming new year.

The group won a prestigious Queen's Award for Voluntary Service - described as an MBE for charities - for the time they spend tclearing litter, tidying grot-spots, planting and maintaining gardens around Rossendale.

A group of 13 volunteers attended the annual litter pick, which has been running for two years, and collected 45 bags of rubbish, as well as a bicycle, in just two hours.

Ben Parkin, 30, who is the litter team manager of Civic Pride Rossendale, said: "We try to organise litter picks several times a year.

"We try to get everyone out at this time of year because a lot of them are off work now.

"I'm quite impressed we managed to get 13 people volunteering particularly in the cold and icy weather at the moment."

Anyone who wants to volunteer or join the organisation should visit www.civic-pride.org.uk.