A MATTRESS, a gold fish bowl and two pairs of pants were among more than 15 tonnes of litter cleared from one estate in Bicester.

The equivalent of “two Asian elephants” was cleared in just one week from Kings End by Cherwell District Council’s green team and community group Bicester Green Gym.

The council organised the litter blitz from Monday, January 18, to Friday, January 22, with five green team officers clearing for about 30 hours.

Bicester Green Gym volunteers also got hands-on to help in the footpath and field in George Street collecting 11 bags of recycling, 11 bags of landfill, bottles and glass.

Cherwell District Council lead member for clean and green Debbie Pickford said: “This was our first blitz of 2016 and once again we have removed an astonishing amount of rubbish from a small area over a short space of time.

“Our street cleansing operatives work 365 days a year doing their best to keep Cherwell free of litter but the results of this blitz highlight the ongoing challenge they face on a daily basis.

“In just five days our officers have cleared nearly 15 tonnes of rubbish from this estate – that is equivalent to the weight of two Asian elephants.

“Although some of this rubbish was accidental, such as litter blowing from bins, the majority was the result of a deliberate act by people showing a blatant disregard for the environment.

“And unfortunately, until we can change the attitudes of those responsible, we will continue to fight an ongoing battle in the war against litter.”

The council blitz tackled litter, graffiti and fly tipping from around the estate and pulled together 3.6 tonnes of rubbish by hand and 11.2 tonnes with the street sweeper.

Free bulky waste collections were on offer to residents, collecting another 3.76 tonnes of furniture and white goods.

Bicester Green Gym secretary Bea Foster said: “We cleared the field and footpath that runs between The Bicester School and the sports centre.

“Much to my disgust after clearing all those bags there is already rubbish accumulating again.

“People buy stuff in town and by the time they get up there near home they just drop it.

“It is one of the more deprived areas of Bicester and a bit of a rundown area so people haven’t got a lot of pride for it.”

Towards the end of last year the green gym volunteers planted tubs in the estate to freshen up the area which Mrs Foster said she was “pleasantly surprised” that they are being well looked after.