Their aim was simple - to clear fallen trees, brushwood and rubbish from two adjoining pieces of waste land which form a rural oasis among the housing estates.

The event, called Swaythling Did Their Bit for Daisy Dip, was organised by milkman Derek Rawles and took place on March 4, 1978 - shortly after he’d finished his round.

Daisy Dip had previously suffered the ravages of man and the elements. Wind-blown trees and brushwood clogged the stream and the water turned stagnant. Old tyres, broken toys, paper, glass, ironmongery, even a mattress, littered the grassy slopes

The Daisy Dip management committee sent out an SOS. They circulated leaflets in nearby schools asking for help.

And help came - in the form of dozens of boys and girls, most garbed in anoraks and Wellington boots, ready to lend a hand with loading the rubbish into waiting skips.

Derek Rawles told the Daily Echo at the time: “I’m really chuffed at the number of people who have turned up.

“You see if the children are involved in clearing it, they are less likely to dump on it in future.”

Kids were everywhere, scouring the slopes, wading in the stream, around the bonfire, in the mud, carrying newspapers, tyres and debris.

There were plenty of adults on hand to direct operations - some coming from further afield than Swaythling.

ON THIS DAY…

The average house price was £13,820.

ABBA were at number one in the singles chart with Take a Chance On Me.

The best selling album was The Album by ABBA.

Bloodline by Sidney Sheldon was the New York Times best selling book.

People may have been watching the first series of Don’t Forget Your Toothbrush on TV.

Gamers may have been playing Beneath a Steel Sky.

Cinema goers may have been watching The Rescuers.