QUARRY Bank scouts have been giving the streets a final sweep before the Heart of England in Bloom judges stop by for the first time.

This year marks the town's first ever entry in the prestigious In Bloom campaign - with the judges set to stop off this week.

Quarry Bank in Bloom committee members have been co-ordinating efforts to spruce up the High Street after being awarded a £5,000 grot spot grant from central government via the community forum - and 1st Quarry Bank Scout Group lent a hand on Saturday by staging a litter pick ahead of judging day which is set to take place on Thursday (July 14).

Group leader Ted Batham said: "We just wanted to do something to help the area and make it look better but I'd like to think it's helped to improve Quarry Bank's chances of success."

Ward councillor Bryan Cotterill praised the efforts of young beavers, cubs and scouts who spent two hours tidying by the Labour Club, the community centre and Christ Church and he said: "I was absolutely thrilled with the numbers that turned up and the work they did - it was absolutely stunning; they worked extremely well, we're so grateful to them."

He also congratulated the Quarry Bank in Bloom committee for their "sterling" work and said: "It's brought the community together and that was the aim in the first place."

The scout group, which is based in Bob's Coppice Walk, collected around 40 bags of rubbish during Saturday's litter pick which may lead to further tidy-ups in the community.

Anyone interested in joining or finding out more about the group can check out www.1stqb.org.uk