Colleagues from Leeds Building Society’s Direct Mortgage department teamed up with the Friends of Wallsend Parks to clear the parks of litter and get them ready for the summer months.

The team were taking advantage of the Society’s volunteering scheme, which allows all colleagues a day’s paid leave each year to help in the community.

Angela Rowley, Direct Mortgages team manager, said: “Splitting into two teams, the volunteers covered the wilder areas of the parks and cleared the Wagon Way of rubbish.

“Our teams collected five black bags of litter from the Wagon Way alone. Items discovered included shoes, wellies, tyres and old car number plates.

“This volunteering work is important due to the increased popularity of Wallsend Parks. The feel-good factor was rife in the volunteers, who have said they will be looking to lend a hand again later in the year.”

Pictured (L–R), are Angela Rowley, Mark Simmons, David Meads, Helen Mallenby, Simon Dean, Cheryl Keeler and Kelly MacMillan. The two without high visibility jackets are members of the public who joined in as volunteers on the day.