HOOK In Bloom got off to a litter-picking start, as Scouts and other volunteers sprang into action.

The 7th Bramshill Hook Scout Group and more than 40 villagers scoured the lanes to collect 25 sacks of rubbish. The clean–up was also timed to support of the Clean for the Queen campaign, ahead of Her Majesty’s 90th birthday celebrations.

Councillor Barry Myall said: “It was only as I was riding my bike to work that I realised that there was so much litter lying around in Hook. So, as part of the Clean for the Queen campaign and in conjunction with Hook in Bloom, villagers decided to act.”

The first session of the weekend was dampened by some April showers, but it did not deter the volunteers. They picked up litter and weeded the village centre plant bed.

Mr Myall added: “Sue Hedges from the Hook Scouts was keen to come on board and offered the services of her group. Armed with 35 litter pickers, hi-visibility vests and sacks, Cubs, Scouts and parents set to work on Sunday afternoon after Sue had organised the sun to shine!”

Though no hidden treasures were found, the litter pickers did stumble across a concrete tortoise among the usual crop of drink cans, coffee cups and crisp packets. The cleaning gang targeted hedgerows, bushes and common areas.

Delighted parish administrator Marian Bright said: “I noticed the difference in Mitchell’s Field when I walked to work on Monday morning. It was fantastic to know that so many young people and other volunteers had been out and about tidying up for the village.”

Mr Myall was encouraged to arrange another session in the summer.

“We obviously didn’t manage to clean the whole area in the allotted time, so if you fancy a spot of therapy, do sign up for our next session, there is plenty of litter awaiting your attention,” he said.