A BOLTON housing estate is to get a spring clean.

The Willows Estate will be given a tidy-up with various organisations joining forces with residents for the work .

Officers from the fire and police services are also lending their services to the five-day operation in a bid to reduce the number of rubbish fires in the area.

Also helping out will be council and Bolton at Home officials.

The clean-up, called a Beatsweep, involves clearing rubbish and cleaning up graffiti to make the area more attractive.

It began today and ends on Friday. Tomorrow skips will be placed at the King George V Playing Fields at the junction of Northumbria Street and Cambria Street for the disposal of old furniture and other items.

Brian Wiggins, deputy borough commander for the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said: "The commitment from the various agencies involved has been fantastic, and I know will lead to the success of the initiative.

"We have found Beatsweep a very direct and intense way of making a positive difference in our communities and I hope that the local residents join with us in our work to improve the area."