When Lancaster’s newest city councillor was told by residents on Blades Street that their alley was untidy and needed some attention, he decided to take action.

As one of his first tasks as a new Green Party councillor for the Castle Ward, Will Farley investigated their concerns and discovered evidence of fly-tipping, significant amounts of litter and overgrown and untidy foliage.

Will, and Castle Ward’s Green councillors, quickly moved into action, organising a team of volunteers to tackle the problem.

And together over the course of one day they succeeded in making an incredible difference to the space.

placeholder image — The end of a successful day!

Will said: “I enjoyed working with our local party and the residents of Blades Street. It was heartening to see that community is alive and well, but we need to do more.

"Leading events like this can help to bring communities together so they can reclaim spaces which have been neglected.

“I hope we can organise more of these clean-ups so that everyone can enjoy Lancaster as a place to live.”

Volunteer and local Green Party chair Emily Heath added: “Thanks to everyone who came to the Blades Street ginnel clean-up. What a great community activity!

"I counted 20 people helping, including the three Castle Ward Green councillors, several other Green Party members, several Blades Street residents, including families and students.

"One of the residents who helped has already started to try to turn the ginnel into a nice space for sitting out in, with benches and potted plants, and hopefully that idea will catch on now that the whole ginnel is much tidier.

"It was lovely that least two other residents came out to say thanks and offered us refreshments too!”

Will Farley won his seat with 70% of the votes at a by-election in May, triggered by the departure from Lancaster of Green councillor Isabella Metcalf-Riener.