RESIDENTS on an Atherton housing estate practised a spot of clean living this week . . .

They brushed up their homes and dusted themselves down to take part in a blitz on the Shakerley estate.

Brushes, mops and dusters were distributed as members of the community teamed up with their local housing office and Wigan Council's Peoples and Places Community Programme.

The clean up was part of a borough wide campaign led by the People and Places organisers.

And as a result a large group of residents met up at the community centre on Cumberland Avenue, to take part in the project.

The result?

About 15 tonnes of rubbish was collected, using five skips and the services of three bin wagons.

Teresa Jennings of the People and Places Community Programme said: "This is part of the Estate Blitz Campaign, a one off clean up which takes place each year working with the housing department.

"We leaflet houses in the areas to let them know what is happening.

"Household waste, and particularly bulky refuse, which might end up being dumped in a back alley somewhere, are particularly targeted.

"In addition residents are encouraged to pick up litter, tidying up the general appearance of their estate.

"It went very well at Shakerley. It is good that we never seem to have a problem getting people involved in the scheme.

"The scheme means that within the Borough we are working over and above a usual litter operation."

Last year, across the borough, the campaign collected 130 tonnes of litter and waste from 10 different estates, using 41 skips and 12 bing wagons.