VOLUNTEERS have collected dozens of bags of rubbish consisting of PPE, tyres, car parts and toilet seats.

Residents from across Millom have come together to clean up the rubbish-filled streets after litter picks were suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Several litter hotspots have been targeted, including Hall Bank lay-by, a large lay-by near Millom that is used by many lorry and delivery drivers.

The group collected more than 20 bags of waste, tyres, other car parts, a large drum, Tarmac-laying residues, the usual toilet seat, general debris and many kilograms of builders' rubble.

Parish councillor Lesley Cooper said: “Several residents battled with brambles, branches, rain and hail for three hours on a recent Saturday morning on a long overdue spring clean.

“The area is looking much more presentable now.

“Other residents have worked individually along wider sections of the A595 where litter has become deeply embedded along the verges and entangled in brambles and hedges.

“Most of the litter is plastic-based fast food wrappers and drink containers.

“Of concern was the substantial number of wine and spirit bottles, beer and cider cans that have been collected from the roadsides.

“To date over 90 bags of waste have been collected along with a horrifying assortment of items that have been fly-tipped.”

Items collected include PPE, enough tyres for several vehicles, hubcaps, other plastic car parts, oil drums, bathroom fittings (at least two toilet seats), a wheel barrow, bicycle rack and mudguards.

Cllr Cooper said: “These ongoing efforts and especially those of the litter ‘task force’ during March have made a real difference to the state of our roads and, we hope, make road users take note of our environment.”