RECOVERING drug addicts and alcoholics have spearheaded a community clean up.

They collected 40 bags of rubbish - including cans, bottles and plastic waste which will be recycled - on Monday the Galligreaves area of Blackburn, near St Luke's Church

Red Rose Recovery combined with Spark BWD in organising the inaugural Roots Community clean-up which also involved volunteers from the Thomas Project.

Spark BWD launched its ‘Roots Community’ project in April to further public health work in the borough for those recovering from drug and alcohol problems.

Roots Community team leader, Rolonde Bradshaw, said: “The aim of the clean-up was partly to challenge stigma around addiction and recovery.

“It’s also an opportunity to be active and connect with others, which are crucial to getting well.

“Finally, by ‘keeping our side of the street clean,’ so to speak, we can set a positive example to others.”

One of the Roots Community Volunteers, Waseem, said: "You can’t always change how other people think about you but what you can do is work on yourself."

The Blackburn with Darwen Council supported Monday’s event by providing equipment.

Both Red Rose Recovery and Spark BWD intending to make the Roots Community Clean-Up a weekly event with other areas of the borough targeted in the near future.