THE big blitz on rubbish-tipping has hit top gear. A team of youth volunteers have removed an amazing total of 50 sacks of domestic refuse plus many dumped household items (including a three-piece suite, fridge, old bikes and even a couple of barbecue ovens) from their neighbourhood woodland area.

And all in one weekend!

The volunteers get a pat on the back from the Friends of Clinkham Wood organisation, dedicated to returning that much-abused open area of Moss Bank back to its former glory.

But the anti-dumping blitz is still by no means over. Barbara Jakubiak, secretary of the Friends, reports that there's still more cleaning up to do. Undeterred, the volunteers are soldiering on, with future work including the removal of old rhodedendron stumps and the creating and maintaining of footpaths.

"We have also asked the council to put up 'No Tipping' signs", adds Barbara, and to provide dog waste-bins. Poop-scoopers are available from the library and local council office".

But, she stresses, without the support of the local community, in helping to keep the woodland clean, all the good work will be to no avail.

On a more upbeat note, the Friends and the recently-formed Tenants' and Residents' Association plan an exciting programme of events to take place throughout the year, beginning with a May Day gala.

And the council has approved a focal point to be created at Windermere Field. Using natural materials from the woodland, it will include a carved sentinel engraved with animals and wildlife and surrounded by a seating arrangement.

The design came from local schoolchildren who will be asked to help with the carving. "However, there is still a lot to do", says Barbara, who invites anyone wishing to get involved or join the Friends to contact her on St Helens 600938.

BUT the immediate plea is: "Please don't use the woods as a rubbish tip".