PROUD Lowestoft residents have decided to dispose of the rubbish by organising their own town tidy-ups in a bid to phase out fly tipping.More than 15 reports have been received this week by Waveney Council's cleansing department of unwanted furniture and bike frames being dumped at bin collection points.

PROUD Lowestoft residents have decided to dispose of the rubbish by organising their own town tidy-ups in a bid to phase out fly tipping.

More than 15 reports have been received this week by Waveney Council's cleansing department of unwanted furniture and bike frames being dumped at bin collection points.

But two individuals and a group of friends have made up their minds to put a stop to it by taking action.

The Friends of Warren House Wood carried out a litter pick in the wood, which is situated on the right hand side of Links Road, in Gunton.

Over a three hour period five adults and four children collected a total of 19 bags of rubbish and a host of larger items, including a shopping trolley, a tyre, a wheelbarrow, bedding, a traffic cone, a bicycle frame, cushions and a car bonnet.

They also found an alarming amount of used dog waste bags.

Stuart Arlow, of the newly formed Friends, said: 'Our aim is to make the area more attractive for people and wildlife alike. The area has historical importance even though it is comparatively young as a nature reserve and woodland. We have set up a website at www.fowhw.co.uk for anybody looking to find out more about the group and area, although it is still in its infancy.

'I would like to thank the cleansing team for the support they provided and the loan of tools and equipment, plus the prompt pick up of the rubbish from the area.'

Meanwhile, a woman who lives in Lucerne Close, cleared an area at the back of her property and turned it into a wildlife haven, but people had made holes in the hedgerow and dumped bottles, fridges and wood.

Mike Daniels, head of cleansing, sent in a team to help her remove them and clean the area, using fly-tipped conifer cuttings to weave into the holes to keep people out and give the wildlife a natural habitat to nest in.

And Tony Gregory, of Ontario Road, was so fed up with fly-tipping in the un-adopted rear access to his house, he asked for help in clearing away the waste he had collected.

Mr Daniels said: 'It shows that some people do have pride in their area and we will always help where possible.'