Residents in the Hartwell Drive area of Kempston cleared out their clutter during a clean-up event on Saturday (Jan13).

Housing associations bpha, Aldwyck, Jephson and Places for People joined forces to organise two skips for the day to give residents an opportunity to clear out their homes and gardens of unwanted items.

The event was part of a joint initiative known as Taking Pride in Hartwell Drive. Over the last two years the housing associations, which all manage homes in the area, have organised activities such as family fun days, youth projects and events for stay at home parents.

Door-to-door surveys have also helped to gather the views of local residents and the housing associations are working towards a joint lettings policy to provide support to new and existing tenants, whoever their landlord.

Ruth Ruston, community development officer at bpha, said: "Following resident consultation we have introduced a number of events and activities to respond to what residents have told us they want.

"This has included a regular drop in with the police and housing associations, as well as the bulky waste clean up event which took place on Saturday.

"We are now hoping to work with residents to form their own action group so that they can take on responsibility for organising similar community events in the future.

"Events such as clean-up days help everyone to get together and foster a sense of community spirit, as well as helping to keep homes and gardens in good order."

About 100 households took the opportunity to get rid of bulky waste at the event, which ran during Saturday morning.

Bill Freer, 46, of Hartwell Drive, said: "The event was a real Godsend. As the local tip has been closed recently, it has been a job to be able to get over to Ampthill when you work full-time.

"The two skips were full within a couple of hours and as well as being able to get rid of stuff from the house, residents cleared up some items left outside homes. The area looks much better as a result."

Due to the success of the event, further lorries were called in to take away the items brought out.