HUNDREDS of school kids, council staff, police and local business employees have joined together to clean up their community.

The fourth annual event was held yesterday in Knightswood, resulting in mountains of rubbish being taken off the streets.

Every year a group of children take on the gruelling task, joined by members of the police and Glasgow city council.

Along with the massive community event in summer time, S2 pupils also take it in turns to do clean ups on a smaller scale every Monday.

They were recently nominated for an Evening Times Streets Ahead award for their oustanding efforts.

The initiative was started by Constable Colette Farron, who is Knightswood secondary school's campus officer, as she wanted to tackle the litter problem in the area and teach students not to drop waste.

She said the scheme has made a huge difference to the community, and has received feedback from local residents about the work.

She said: "Every Monday out there in the community we go and keep it tidy and make our presence known in the local area.

"I was out a few weeks ago doing a bogus caller campaign and some of the residents commented that since we started doing this they have seen a huge difference in the amount of litter around the area.

"It has really helped the kids as well to stop dropping litter on campus.

"Community Safety Glasgow did an area check and apparently Knightwood is no longer on their target list as it is much cleaner, which is something the kids should be really proud of.

"You can now see the older students encouraging their younger peers to pick up litter around the campus, I've seen it during lunch times."

Along with school kids, 10 employees from the local McDonald's on Great Western Road took part yesterday, as well as provided water and fruit for participants.

Two mounted police officers joined the group, along with members of Glasgow City Council's Land and Environmental Services team, five community safety police officers and Drumchapel Campus Officer PC Chris Bell.

Councillor Kenny McLean, City Convener for Neighbourhoods, Housing and Public Realm, said: “Events such as these are fantastic as not only do they improve the environment of the neighbourhood, they underline the commitment local people have for their community.

"I congratulate all those taking part in the clear-up, which will make a big difference for Knightswood.”