False teeth and toilet among litter-picking finds

There are about 30 volunteers who go out at least twice a week

False teeth, crutches, a toilet, bolt cutters and a DVLA wheel clamp are among items found by a group of volunteers.

Ashington Community Litter Project in Northumberland said it had collected more than 1,000 bags of rubbish in the last three months.

The group goes out twice a week and said keeping the streets clean was a "constant battle".

But volunteer Tommy Johnson said it was "a great way of giving something back".

Fly-tipping is a problem in Ashington, with large items of furniture often dumped in the town centre

The group was set up three years ago and its social media page now has 400 members.

Last year, its 30 regular volunteers collected 1,715 bags of rubbish.

Mr Johnson, 70, joined the group about 18 months ago.

He said: "We all have our own little patches and we have hotspots which always need a bit of attention.

"A lot of people have said they've seen a difference on the main streets, people are stopping us on the street to say thank you and we get the odd honk of the horn and a thumbs up, which is nice."

A DVLA wheel clamp is one of the more unusual items the group has found...

...along with bolt cutters, underwear and large sums of money

Local authorities have responsibility for keeping streets tidy and picking up litter, and Mr Johnson said he often heard people say "you shouldn't be doing that".

But he added: "We all know that the councils are stretched financially and litter picking is probably the first thing that gets knocked on the head.

"It's not just the rubbish, it's fly-tipping too, the prams, the bikes, mattresses, somebody has to sort it out."

They have found prams and household furniture too

Northumberland County Council said its street cleaning service worked seven days a week to remove litter, and that staff issued Fixed Penalty Notices for anyone seen littering or fly-tipping.

"We sincerely thank all the volunteers in Ashington and other volunteers around the county who selflessly give up their time," a spokesperson said.

"Their efforts make a huge difference and are greatly appreciated."

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