Snow and hail did not deter an army of residents turning out in force to support a community campaign to tidy up the town.

Sidmouth Herald: An Ottery family gave up their morning to help with the clean.An Ottery family gave up their morning to help with the clean. (Image: Archant)

Volunteers young and old helped out on Sunday in response to a social media appeal, collecting more than 20 bags of rubbish and recycling from around the Land of Canaan and Cadhay House.

Mandy Ward, 50, came up with the idea for a clean-up, shared it on Facebook and was blown away with the response. She said: “I think it is going to be a big community thing. If we notice any particular areas that are bad we will bear it in mind for the next event and do one every couple of months. We are going to try and get shops on board and take it further to cut the amount of plastic.”

Businesses lent hi-vis jackets and litter pickers for volunteers to use.

Mandy has now organised another clean up for Saturday, March 24, at 2pm at the Land of Canaan and tackle areas towards The King’s School.

Sidmouth Herald: More than 30 volunteers split into groups to take different section of the town as part of the community clean.More than 30 volunteers split into groups to take different section of the town as part of the community clean. (Image: Archant)