VOLUNTEERS in Caldicot have banded together to tidy a road which will soon be used as a Parkrun route.

The clean-up was co-ordinated by Keep Wales Tidy and assisted by Monmouthshire County Council’s waste and leisure teams.

Keen litter pickets collected a tonne of rubbish in just two hours along roads and watercourses between Caldicot and Rogiet.

Runners from the local Parkrun group are set to use the back road for their timed five kilometre run.

Materials collected included building rubble, bottles, cans, car parts and several bags of household rubbish dragged out of reens.

Monmouthshire’s chief executive, Paul Matthews said: “I am delighted that the county is getting involved in the 'park run' movement. It's a fun way to get fit and to make new friendships.

"I'm on record as saying how much I loathe fly-tippers. It's a disgrace that others have to put themselves out because of them but it's testament to these volunteers that they have made the place look so good by coming together to clear litter and improve the environment for wildlife.”

Following the clean-up the area will be monitored by enforcement officers from Monmouthshire County Council and Natural Resources Wales who work closely with neighbouring authorities on surveillance across the Gwent Levels to reduce litter and fly-tipping.

For further information contact the council’s Education and Awareness Officer Sue Parkinson - SusanParkinson@monmouthshire.gov.uk.

The Caldicot Parkrun is free of charge and will be launched soon.

For further information about participating call Laura James, community sport development officer, on 07816 175761 or laurajames@monmouthshire.gov.uk.