AN enthusiastic band of volunteers gathered to tidy up Embsay and Eastby on Saturday - National Community Clear Up Day.

Some people were new to the area and others had lived in Embsay for many years - but all had the common purpose of taking a pride in their locality.

Armed with high viz jackets, litter pickers and bags supplied by Craven District Council, they set about the litter collection. During a two-hour period 20 bags were filled with the litter collected.

The volunteers included parish councillor Stella Kirkbride and Andrew Garrick, the Green Party candidate for Craven District Council, who both see litter as a serious national concern.

The group was rewarded with well earned cups of coffee and hot cross buns.