RESIDENTS in the town centre responded so well to a clean-up operation on Saturday Redditch Council could not cope with the amount of refuse they were given to take away.

Police, the council and Smallwood Alliance joined forces to tackle the litter and rubbish problem in the area between Archer Road and Other Road.

As a one off, the council agreed to take away people's refuse, including furniture, for free and town centre beat manager Pc Robin White said the take-up was amazing.

"From our point of view, we decided we had to do something.

"We've had ongoing problems with residents parking, litter and antisocial behaviour by young people around the college car park and the service area between the two roads.

"There have been mainly minor damage offences but there have been two fires involving property and the fire brigade are concerned the level of rubbish in the area would act as fuel for fires," he added.

Pc White said: "The council's litter enforcement officer will continue work in the area and will start issuing fixed penalty fines if people do not maintain the level of tidiness."

Residents help (from left) Councillor Arjamand Farooqui, Pc Robin White and Councillor Mohammed Nasir to load a sofa onto the truck to take away.