VOLUNTEERS from a Wirral charity have created a community garden as part of an on-going campaign to tackle the problem of discarded rubbish.

The YMCA Wirral gardening team set to work in Whetstone Lane, Birkenhead, learning glasshouse horticultural skills before putting up hanging baskets for residents in nearby Shaw Street.

The "Street Ys" programme is the idea of YMCA Chief Executive Nigel Hughes and was launched followed a series of reports in the Globe last year about litter in Wirral.

Nigel said: "We have been working closely with neighbours in Shaw Street in an effort to resolve some of the problems surrounding litter and anti-social behavior.

"A group of our garden team and Street Y’s volunteers have grown plants and made up hanging baskets which they wanted to donate to the Shaw Street residents in a effort to brighten up the street and try to do something positive locally".

Shaw Street residents are so happy woth the results they invited council leader Phil Davies and ward councillor Brian Kenny to the formal handover of the baskets.

Councillor Kenny said: "This was a fantastic initiative by the YMCA working with the local community.

"I am so impressed with the amazing floral displays in each hanging basket.

"It was an honour for me to open this initiative and I would like to formally thank Nigel Hughes from the YMCA and the residents Shaw Street for one of the best events I have ever attended."