EMERGENCY services in Bolton joined forces for a massive clean-up operation on one of the town's most run-down estates.

The Willows area of Deane was last week targeted by police, firefighters and Bolton Council enforcement officers as part of a purge on crime, vandalism and fly-tipping.

Grot-spots were cleared of rubbish, graffiti and abandoned vehicles. Police also spent time monitoring the activities of known criminals in the area, making sure they adhered to their bail conditions.

Officers arrested six people wanted on warrant. The also confiscated 19 vehicles which were unfit to be on the road as part of an operation in conjunction with traffic officers.

Sgt Wayne Readfern, of Bolton Police, said: "We worked with our partners and the residents to make changes that will benefit everyone.

"Residents will have seen a lot of activity in the last few days and hopefully this will create a legacy that will increase the standard of living for the area."

Two skips were placed at the junction of Cambria Street and Northumbria Street to encourage residents to dispose of unused furniture or household waste.

The fire service has helped with thousands of pounds of funding for the clean-up.

Fire service spokesman Gary Bailey said: "We spent time identifying fly-tips and fire hazards and carrying out fire risk assessments in residential and commercial properties. Issues like fly-tipping and the abandoned cars are directly linked to arson and we've had great success in cutting crime during previous beat sweeps'."

Council officers also carried out checks on benefit cheats.

Cllr John Byrne, executive member for the environment, said: "This is specially tailored to make a difference to people's environment."