A COMMUNITY champion fed up with littering in a Southampton neighbourhood has taken matters into his own hands.

Pensioner Tony Weafer employed his own litter pickers to clear an alleyway on Church Street, Shirley, which has become a fly-tipping hotspot.

After failed official clear-up attempts, he took decisive action. 

Daily Echo: Rubbish in the alleyway off Church Street, Shirley

Mr Weafer, who devotes time to making Shirley and Freemantle a better place to live, said: "I found all this rubbish in an alleyway which has been a problem for years. There are two families living down there and I was keen to see it cleared. 

"When I didn't have any luck elsewhere, I spoke with one of the homeless guys who has always helped me whenever I need something. He brought a friend along and I gave them a tenner each and some black bags and they spent a few hours there." 

The bags were cleared 24 hours later, following a call to the council.

Daily Echo: The now pristine looking alleyway off Church Street, Shirley

Mr Weafer posted his success story on the Shirley and Freemantle Watch Community Forum he runs and was praised by residents.