A SPRING clean has been organised on the region's biggest private housing estate.

The Ingleby Clean Up Day, at Ingelby Barwick, near Stockton, is the idea of Ingleby Community Church.

It follows the success of Santa's Sleigh, which toured the estate last Christmas, and brought residents on to the streets in their hundreds.

"We wanted to do put something back into the community, and believe that actions speak louder than words," said organiser Andy Smith.

"The work of vandals can often be repaired quite easily, and makes a great impact on how the community feel.

"The annual response to Santa's Sleigh is heart-warming and we hope that our clean-up day will inject some more goodwill and into an area badly lacking in community feel."

Fellow organiser Susan Smith said: "Everyone is welcome for even a part or a whole of our three two-hour sessions. We don't just want to do this for the residents but with the residents. Everyone is welcome to join us for as long or as little time as they can spare."

Anyone taking part should meet at the community centre in the Beckfields area on Saturday, May 8, at 9.30am.

Teams will focus on key areas that need litter clearance or graffiti removal.

The event will end at 5.30pm with a community barbecue and live music.