A SMALL team of Riverside Community Big Local volunteers spent Sunday morning picking litter from the piece of land along Bridge Road in Grays known as Falconwood.

Working with local residents and organisations the Big Local plans to create a Pocket Park on this previously un-cared for land.

As part of these plans the Big Local thinned out some of the dead and dangerous trees and started to level off the land. The levelling off revealed a large amount of rubbish that had been buried for many years.

In all volunteers collected 24 sacks of cans, bottles and other rubbish - as well as a number of larger items of rubbish.

Chair of the Riverside Community Big Local, Andy Blakey, said: "Falconwood is a hidden gem and we plan to work with residents to make it a really pleasant place for people to enjoy. It time, we will look to put some appropriate seating and other amenities but - for now - the efforts of volunteers on Sunday has made to the area that bit nicer to look at and walk through.

"Thanks to Steve, Anton, Jacqueline and John for giving their time and to Thurrock Council for disposing of the rubbish collected."