VOLUNTEERS responded to a call to help clean up woodlands last week by picking up litter.

Highfield Woods, in Micklefield, became the focus of a clean-up day, the first of many intended to involve residents and school children in conserving their woodland.

The call came from Wycombe District Council's rangers in response to local community concerns about situations of fly-tipped waste.

An environmental spokesman at the council said: "We were able to clear a lot of rubbish that had been illegally dumped, which is especially important at this time of year as people, particularly children, are using the woodland more."

He said: "Our hope is to encourage the local community to take an interest and even to report fly-tipped waste to the district council. That way it will improve the chance of prosecution and prevent the problem in future."

Other initiatives include a Ranger Day, in which children will be shown how the ranger service is working to improve the woodlands.

The next clean-up day in Micklefield Woods is on June 16, meeting at Micklefield Community Centre, Micklefield Road.

Volunteers can contact environmental co-ordinator Lesley Stoner on 01494 421744.