A GROUP of residents in Queensbury collected around 30 bags of litter in their attempt to improve the appearance of a local park.

Prompted by a campaign on Facebook, around 20 people came together to clean-up Russell Hall Park, which had been gradually accumulating rubbish, and become an apparent target for vandals.

The group now hope to work with the Parks and Landscape Service at Bradford Council in their bid to keep the area tidy.

Group member Lisa Carmody said: “The park desperately needed a tidy-up, but there was a really positive response from everyone involved.

“Rubbish had built up over the years, and arsonists had even targeted some of the children’s rides in the park.

“We hope to be able to keep the park neat and safe for people to use, as there is nowhere else for kids here to go and play without having to go down into Halifax.”

The group are holding a picnic in the park, off Russell Avenue, from 3.30pm onwards on Wednesday, where people are welcome to attend to discuss ideas on how the area can be maintained.