IT IS an example of the power of one – of how an individual can change the community for the better.

Around 15 years ago lifelong Sotonian Adam Manning started to clear up litter from Weston Shore. He risked ridicule and incredulity from many locals who felt the litter-strewn area was beyond help.

Sometimes alone, sometimes with friends, Adam persevered on his quest of ridding the shoreline of rubbish.

The trash ranged from enough car engine parts to build a car, clothing, shoes, Halloween masks to countless plastic and glass bottles.

One Lucozade bottle still had the pre-decimal price sticker on the label indicating it had been tossed aside in the 1960s.

But today the shoreline looks pristine and there is evidence that its appearance is encouraging people not to drop litter.

A year or so ago the Friends of Weston Shore was set up, and on Sunday it held a clean-up that attracted more than 20 local people.

Adam said: “The area seems to get more appreciation now. People seem to value it more and treat it better.

“A lot of people have been saying how marvellous the improvements are.

“My interest started from having lived in the area all my life and being in love with the Weston Shore and how beautiful it is.

“I was always disappointed with the litter and then about 15 years ago it got to the point where I thought ‘let’s do something about it’. At first people would ask if I was doing a community service punishment or whether I was just strange,” said Adam, 40, a solicitor, of Dragoon Close, Sholing.

“Some people came up and said I was barking mad and why bother as the shore would always be dreadful.

That got less and less, and now people come up and say what an improvement there has been.

Clearing the litter gets easier every year,” .

“Things do not have to get worse, they can get better. It has been a brilliant thing to be involved with. It shows you can make things happen, that is the heartening thing.”

One of the volunteers on the shore was Matthew Abbott, 36, a teacher, from Netley Abbey. He said: “It was my New Year’s resolution to do some voluntary work for the community.

This is the first time I have ever done this.

“I find it quite relaxing and will do it again. It is a nice thing to do.”

Another volunteer, Sarah Killworth, said: “We have had families coming out to help, and new people, which is lovely.”

City councillor Carole Cunio said the group was an example of bottomup organisations that have sprouted to help the environment. Others in Southampton include groups for Mayfield Park and the Sholing Valleys.

The Friends’ efforts has helped the shore, the only sizeable part of Southampton Water open to the public, to achieve a Green Flag by Keep Britain Tidy.

It is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

They are always keen to get public feedback and ideas and can be emailed at westonshore@gmail.com.

An annual meeting is due to be held in the autumn at a time and place to be announced.