POLICE helped youngsters stamp out litter bugs at a Love Rumworth event.

Bolton Council joined forces with the police to host the annual clear up of the area during a two-hour litter pick.

Children, aged between six and 16, from Sunning Hill Primary School, St Ethelbert’s Primary School, Pikes Lane Primary and Bolton Muslim Girls School got stuck in during the clear up with the help of Police Community Support Officers and between them collected 148 bags of rubbish.

The litter had been dumped in play areas, around the schools and near to homes in the area.

The event earlier this month was held to educate children, the next generation, to take pride in their community by keeping it clean rather than throwing litter on the floor.

Sunning Hill Primary School’s year six pupils boasted the most rubbish gathered after they collected 14 bin bags.

To mark their achievement the pupils received a trophy from Irwell Valley Housing, who sponsored the annual event.

Bolton Muslim Girls School also received a trophy. The other teams received certificates for their efforts. PCSO Steve Woodcock, from Bolton Central Neighbourhood Policing Team, who covers Rumworth, said: “The event involved skips being placed and used by residents. The competition was held as an incentive between the schools to get the most litter. We, the PCSOs, did the walk around the area collecting litter with the teachers and people from the council for a few hours.

“We work with the kids so they know who we are and then they will approach us if they see us.

“We go into the schools on a regular basis and speak about different topics such as stranger danger and fireworks and Halloween.”

He said officers often get calls about fly tipping and litter problems, which the council deal with.

The schools have formed their own Enviro Cops teams to spread the message that littering, a form of anti-social behaviour, is strictly out of bounds in their area.

The aim of Love Rumworth Day is to encourage local schools, community groups and faith groups to come together for one day and tackle litter across Rumworth.

Through BCOM, six mosques also got involved, as well as students from Deane UCAN Community English Class and Bolton Youth Voice in a bid to keep the area clean.