COMMUNITY-minded congregation members filled 50 binbags stuffed with rubbish and cleared large fly-tipped items to prevent their village being dubbed 'Kip the tip'.

The Inverkip Church eco group, established four years ago to tackle local litter and address environmental issues, uncovered a mountain of dumped rubbish on its latest weekend mission.

Twenty volunteers filled 47 bin bags of waste.

Fly-tipped items were also recovered - including a television, headboard and carpet, plus an additional five bags of glass.

The group have received awards from Eco Congregation Scotland and Keep Scotland Beautiful for their efforts.

Parishioner Jean Benson said: "Each month our litter picks are a real success, with members of the church getting involved as well as the wider community.

"We've provisionally fixed dates for the remainder of the year and invite anyone who wishes to get involved to come along.

"It's a real community effort.

"You'd be amazed at how much ends up being collected in a short two-hour period."

The group provide participants with litter picking equipment and hi-vis vests to ensure everyone is kept safe.

Church member Morag Cowe says litter is a particular problem around the village recycling point.

She told the Tele: "I don't understand why people leave rubbish discarded around the bins when they are full, as when it is windy it just ends up blowing everywhere."

Since the group was launched it has worked closely with Inverkip Primary to organise beach clean-ups as well.

Members of the group also help to keep Lunderston Bay tidy in the regular exercises organised by the Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park rangers.

The next litter pick is Saturday March 20 from 10am and more information can be found at bit.ly/37ofSpK