VOLUNTEERS from a Barnet church are delighted by the success of their first community clean-up at the weekend.

A group from the environmental action team at Christ Church, in St Albans Road, along with the support of residents, joined together on Sunday afternoon to clear a sportsground “blighted by rubbish”.

It was the team's first foray into the field of rubbish collecting and organisers admitted they were "delighted with the results".

More than 20 volunteers tackled the wasteland around Barnet Rugby field, at the bottom of Byng Road, and collected eight sacks of litter, three bags of recycling, and even an old television.

Fiona Oxley, from the church's environmental action group, said they aimed to continue their campaign and battle back against the litter louts she claimed were lowering the town's reputation.

She added: “This was just a trial run to see if it would work. Another Big Tidy Up is planned for the end of June, or beginning of July.

"The council was brilliant in supplying us with the necessary litter pickers and gloves."

The next location to be targeted is yet to be confirmed, but the group is looking to take its clean-up skills to the area around Barnet Library and The Spires.

The group is also hoping to secure the support of Barnet Council during future Big Tidy Up projects.