SOME 150 residents embarked on a spring cleaning session in three Teignbridge villages.

Abbotskerswell, Ipplepen and Kingskerswell have all been subject to a spruce-up this month.

One hundred adults and 50 youngsters were out in force armed with litter pickers to do their bit for the environment.

Cllr Alistair Dewhirst, who organised the event, said: ‘We were all amazed at the increase in the amount of rubbish collected in comparison with last year.

‘In Abbotskerswell and Kingskerswell, there were so many bags of rubbish we could not fit it all in the van to take it away.

‘Most of the increase seemed to be household waste blown from recycling bins.’