AROUND half a tonne of rubbish was collected by members of the community and police and councillors alike, as they joined forces for Operation Pillgwenlly clean-up.

On Tuesday morning, Newport City Council, Gwent Police, Newport City Homes and Keep Wales Tidy joined around 15 members of the local community to tackle two problem areas in Pill.

Pillgwenlly ward members, Councillor Omar Ali and Councillor Ibrahim Hayatt were also there for the big clean-up.

They helped to clear litter from the former Kwik Save car park area in Commercial Road before moving on to clear shrubbery overhanging a footpath in Mendalgief Road. About half a tonne of rubbish was picked up and safely disposed.

Cllr Ali said: “This is not going to be a one-off thing – every quarter or so we are going to be blitzing one area. We all need to pull together.”

Councillor Ken Critchley, cabinet member for infrastructure, said: “I hope that today’s operation will inspire the community to take pride in where they live.”