VOLUNTEERS have cleared litter and fly-tipping from lanes and footpaths at the Race in Pontypool.

Local litter champions joined with Torfaen council, Keep Wales Tidy and Gwent Police for the clear up.

They collected 65 bags of rubbish and removed items including mattresses and TVs.

The event was organised by student Charlotte Richards, who recently completed a placement with the council’s environmental health team.

Councillor Fiona Cross, executive member for the environment, said: "I would like to thank everyone who gave their time to take part in this clear up.

"Litter and fly-tipping is a blight on our society. Fly-tipping alone costs us about £150,000 every year at a time when frontline services are being stretched to breaking point.

“Most of the rubbish and fly-tipping collected today could have been recycled so there really is no excuse for people to blight our communities in this way."

The South Wales Argus' War on LIitter campaign brings you stories from litter heroes from across Newport, Monmouthshire, Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly County Borough and Torfaen.

The aim is to feature every litter picking hero and volunteer group that we can. As well as your stories, we want your pictures and videos too.

If you would like to be featured, or if you want to send us some pictures of problem areas that deserve attention, get in touch by emailing sam.ferguson@gwent-wales.co.uk or joining our dedicated Facebook group – South Wales Argus: War on Litter