UP TO 40 hang gliders took a break from their aerial pursuits to tidy up the Westbury White Horse and Bratton Camp on Saturday.

Members of the Avon Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club filled 41 bags with litter including an old exhaust pipe, a picnic table and a bath.

The high flyers spend much of their spare time at the beauty spots and devised the clean-up plan after chatting with Wiltshire County Council countryside ranger Leo Wirtz.

Mr Wirtz, who is in charge of the Bratton Camp area, organised the event and the council provided equipment and bin bags on the day.

Following Saturday's success he aims to make the clean-up an annual event.

He said: "I would like to thank the Avon Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club for all of their help. Even a little

rubbish can detract from the beauty and ruin visitors enjoyment of the site and so the efforts of the club are really appreciated.

The site is very popular and attracts a large number of visitors every year, and while most take their litter with them when they leave, some are not so careful. Mr Wirtz hopes Saturday's event will inspire local volunteers to come forward to help maintain and improve the site.

He said: "One-off events, such as this clean up, are great for making an instant impact but in the longer term we need a more sustainable approach to litter at the White Horse and Bratton Camp.

"If anyone would like to help maintain this beautiful site and become one of a team of volunteers they should contact me on (01225) 713489 or e-mail leowirtz@wiltshire.gov.uk."