A day of action to help make Ollerton Cleaner, Safer and Greener has been dubbed a success.

A team of community volunteers, staff from Newark and Sherwood District Council and its partners spent a day clearing and tidying the town with more than 6.6 tonnes of rubbish, the weight equivalent of five small cars, taken off the streets.

They were involved in a wide range of works, including a community litter pick, street cleaning and action on fly-tips. A tonne of green waste was also removed by the council’s grounds maintenance team and evergreen shrubs planted.

A community safety stall was also held throughout the day to highlight issues of personal safety, domestic violence, bike safety and dog care while the council’s public protection team joined police in running a day-long operation to check on speeding traffic on Forest Road.

The district council partnered with iMAGESKOOL to create a piece of graffiti art on the skate park on the Sherwood Energy Village. iMAGESKOOL owner James Mayle worked with up to 60 young people from four to 15 years of age on the project.

Newark and Sherwood District Council leader Coun David Lloyd said: “A massive thank you to everyone who took part in this day of action. A great deal has been achieved and going forward, we need to try to maintain these high standards for all our communities and we all have a responsibility to do that.”

Coun Lee Brazier, ward member for Ollerton, said: “The Ollerton day of action really demonstrated everything that is great about Ollerton. As a community, we care and always aim to improve the area. With the great support from all partners, the day went down an absolute storm!”

Coun Donna Cumberlidge, ward member for Ollerton, said: “What an amazing day. The turnout of support from residents in our local community, Ollerton and Boughton Town Council and the Newark and Sherwood District Council was fantastic. Ollerton is our home and somewhere we are very proud of and to have a day of people coming together to give it a spruce up is really encouraging.

“I loved seeing so many children and adults out not just litter picking but talking to each other and getting to know people they may never have met before. I met some wonderful people that I really hope I get to meet up with again soon as they have my shared vision of a clean, safe and happy community.”

Volunteer Vicki Palmer, who lives on nearby Halam Road, said: “I take my litter picking kit everywhere am always looking out for litter. Both litter and dog waste are my pet hates. In some cases people are chucking stuff away that might take 500 years to decompose. There is no excuse for it.”

Another young volunteer litter-picker was 10-year-old Stevie McCue who was joined by his mum Beckie and brother Jamie (eight). Stevie, who goes to Redgate School in Mansfield, is so passionate about looking after the environment that he has bought his own litter-picking kit with his pocket money.

He said: “Some people have no respect for the environment. We need to reduce, re-use and recycle. I don’t like it when people spoil the environment.”

Also taking part were staff from town council, Newark & Sherwood Homes and Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service which gave fire safety advice to homes and businesses and the Lifespring Church which was the base for the day and provided lunch for volunteers and council staff.

As part of the work on the day and in support of the day of action the council removed:

6.6 tonnes of bulky waste
One tonne of mixed cuttings and prunings
Discarded electricals including a fridge, freezer and stereo
Bouncy castle, golf bag, nappiesand office chair
40 pieces of graffiti from the Forest Road car park using 15 litres of graffiti removal liquid

The council also:

Replaced eight new litter bins
Planted 29 evergreen shrubs
Undertook speed checks on more than 500 vehicles on Forest Road. Twowere noted as speeding and will be reported to the police
Conducted alcohol sale licensing checks on seven retailers in the town – three of which failed and have subsequently been given advice.
Security marked 25 bicycles
Gave out 60 bicycle lights
Fielded 27 dog-related enquiries
Issued advice on domestic violence
Made ‘safe and well’ checks on 10 homes
Handed out purse cables, contactless security protector wallets and a number of fridge magnets with essential contacts.
Distributed dog fouling posters and stencilled dog dirt warnings on pavements

Two betting shops subsequently agreed to have cigarette bins installed outside their premises and cigarette stub-out packets have been handed out.