A TEAM of volunteers has helped clean up Canvey's seafront gardens.

Six staff from Castle Point Council took part in the gardening volunteer day, organised by the environmental charity Groundwork South Essex.

The workers were involved in collecting litter, weeding, cutting back overgrown shrubs and cleaning the pavement areas.

The event was the first project in a volunteering scheme set up by the borough council.

The scheme encourages employees to work in a team on a community project, helping to improve the area they serve, while learning new skills and developing team working.

Chief executive David Marchant said: "Volunteers make a huge difference to our community and it seemed a good idea to encourage our staff to get involved, too.

"I have been delighted by the enthusiasm staff have shown for volunteering.

"Every day our staff are working to benefit the community by providing the services they need.

"By volunteering, staff can help our community even more."

The scheme was officially launched in June, when a group of representatives from the Castle Point Association of Voluntary Services spoke to a group of about 40 employees about the benefits and importance of volunteering.

Many of these workers have now signed up for voluntary projects, including building a website for a charity group, helping at a local school and helping out at a local Sunday lunch club.