VOLUNTEERS dedicated to keeping Wyre Forest tidy have helped clean-up an eyesore area in Stourport.

Seven members of the Pickup Artists carried out a much-needed litter pick of half of Sandy Lane and filled 15 bags of rubbish with a further two black bin bags full of dumped aluminium cans.

And, despite spending two hours on site, the volunteers – four from Stourport and three from Bewdley and Kidderminster – will have to return to complete the full road.

They were prompted to act after a one of the artists previously visited the road in Sandy Lane Industrial Estate and was disgusted at the state of litter there.

Karen Blanchfield, of the Pickup Artists, said: “As an experienced Pickup Artist, I have never seen a road so impacted and clearly this litter had been there for a long time.

“With these events, we volunteer one hour of our time to help the community litter problems. However, our team worked tirelessly for nearly two hours and only being able to attend to the first half of the lane itself.

“At the bottom end of Sandy Lane right behind the business premises, you will find the River Severn and at the top of the lane just opposite you will find Hartlebury common nature reserve.

“It’s very worrying knowing of our recent weather of high winds and rain this litter from community areas is reaching our nature reserves, the River Severn and eventually floating to our oceans.”

She added she was delighted with the support the group received on the day for their efforts.

She said: “It was a real team effort and we attracted a £20 donation towards much needed equipment from Creative Pond Covers on Sandy Lane and also MHS Travel provided our volunteers with refreshments - it was lovely to have their support.

“It’s great to have the council staff collecting the litter from the location too and with our links I was able to report on the fly-tipped areas of sandy lane in order for it to be cleared away.”

People can find out more about the Pickup Artists by visiting their ‘Keeping Kidderminster and Surrounding Places Clean’ Facebook group.