A PRUDHOE environmental group has celebrated 10 years of helping to keep the town clean.

Prudhoe Ground Force was set up on July 7, 2008, by resident James Dobson, with the support of a few members of Friends of Prudhoe Woods.

The group, which is made up of volunteers, has met once a week since then to carry out a litter pick in the town. Volunteers also carry out other environmental projects, such as weeding and planting.

Last Wednesday marked 10 years since the group was formed and members celebrated with a special litter pick at Prudhoe Tyne Riverside Country Park – along with a glass of fizz.

Ten members showed up to take part; two stayed at Prudhoe railway station tending to the flowers there, while the others took part in a litter pick in the park.

James Dobson said: “It’s going better than it has ever been. At one point we couldn’t get past four, five or six volunteers, but now we’re on about nine or 10.

“We have never said there’s not enough to do.

“Even when you go out and think there’s not enough there for eight people, when they all come back, you can’t believe the amount of stuff they have managed to pick up.”

The group has several areas it regularly focuses on, including the Miners’ Tub, Highfield Park and Oaklands car park. James communicates each week’s spot on a Monday via email, before the litter pick on a Wednesday.

For many years, the volunteers met on Monday mornings, but this changed to Wednesdays in March 2017, with the group usually meeting between 9am and 10am.

To take part, contact James on: j.dobson@ic24.net