MEMBERS of Orwell Women's Institute went litter picking around the village with new litter grabbers. The annual activity was part of a six-month campaign, Environment Agency Action Earth, supported by the Environment Agency and organised by the charity, C

MEMBERS of Orwell Women's Institute went litter picking around the village with new litter grabbers. The annual activity was part of a six-month campaign, Environment Agency Action Earth, supported by the Environment Agency and organised by the charity, Community Service Volunteers. Some 12 members were given helping hands grabbers to pick up litter on the recreation ground, car park, grass verges and on the main road outside the village pub and shop. The helping hands were bought with a £50 grant from Action Earth. The WI was one of 750 organisations, businesses and community groups undertaking projects of benefit to the environment. WI member Laura Evans said: "There was a good turnout. The helping hands made it safer and more hygienic to pick up litter." - Ashwell's first litter pick has been described as a "success". A group of seven residents met on Saturday morning and filled 24 large bin bags of litter from a one-mile stretch of road. Liz Moynihan, who was heading the campaign, said: "It was a success and it just shows how filthy the countryside is. It's appalling." She said that everyone who took part in the pick was of a "pensionable age" and added that it would be good to see some younger people volunteering to help. But there were some items of rubbish which were too large to be moved and the group will be asking North Herts District Council to collect these. Mrs Moynihan said: "It really is a problem. We got 24 large bags of litter in just over amile, there were empty bottles, cans, cigarette packs, papers, all sorts. "People just don't think, they just chuck it out of car windows." - The next litter pick will be taking place on Saturday, April 16 and volunteers are asked to meet at the Woodforde Close and Kingslands Way junction at 10am.