DETERMINED volunteers have cleaned up a Thundersley beauty spot – and now want residents to take responsibility for the area.

Castle Point Wildlife Group started work on The Glen, off Kiln Road, last month after Castle Point Council asked for its help.

The group completed the project this week, including clearing a fallen oak which blocked the path. It will now hold an open day in a bid to get locals interested in how to keep the area tidy.

Group chairman Neal Warren said: “The area has improved from what it looked like, but needs a lot more work But due to a lack of resources there is only so much we can do. We hope residents will get involved.”

The voluntary group already takes care of North Benfleet Hall Wood, near Woodside Park, and West Wood, off Rayleigh Road, in Benfleet.

It has agreed to take on the extra project temporarily after residents complained to the council about the bad state the site had fallen into.

Mr Warren, 57, of Rayleigh Road, and his team have cleared the footpaths and removed fallen trees. He said: “We want this to be a community project, with locals getting involved. We won’t be able to continue taking care of the area because we have no resources. The whole idea of the open day would be for people to attend and we can guide them through the work. The council has limited resources and this would be a good way to increase community spirit, like in the old days.”

The open day, for anyone interested in volunteering, is ont Sunday, August 17, at The Glen, between 10am and 1pm.

Formore information, contact, Neal Warren, on castle pwg@aol.com