Hopton residents responded to the invitation to get rid of unwanted household items - with a bumper six ton load.

Parish councillor Ken Hicks was asked by villagers if the parish council would hire a skip so that people could get rid of their rubbish.

“When I made enquiries about the cost it was beyond us,” said Mr Hicks. “So I asked GYB Services if they could help in any way.

“And the response was magnificent. On Saturday (February 24) they provided a lorry which took the rubbish away and a team of people who litter-picked a part of the village and even cleared up dog mess.”

GYB Services works with Great Yarmouth Borough Council on household waste collections, tackling fly-tipping and on environmental waste days where communities are invited to dump household items.

“The Council’s environmental rangers worked with GYB Services street cleansing team and the parish council to provide pick-up points,” said Street Scene Inspector Terry Bensley.

“We had such a response that people were turning up with wheelbarrows full of rubbish and cars were queuing to dump waste,” added Mr Hicks.

“People brought everything from old beds and vacuum cleaners to household waste and garden gates. For people without cars this was a great help, especially as waste was taken directly from the homes of some of our elderly residents who couldn’t get to the pick-up points.

“I would like to thank everyone from the Council who was there on Saturday, they were kind, courteous and helpful.”

“The Council is, as always, pleased to work together with resident groups in helping to improve the cleanliness of the Borough,” commented Councillor Jim Shrimplin Cabinet Member for Environment.

For further information contact Street Scene Inspector Terry Bensley on 01493 846144 or e-mail tb@great-yarmouth.gov.uk; or Ken Hicks on 01502 731004