POLICE, council officers and members of the public have cleaned up this trouble-hit York alleyway.

Clifton's neighbourhood policing team organised the clean-up of the alleyway, known locally as Deadman's Alley, which runs from Crombie Avenue into Clifton.

The officers were joined by about 20 other people, including members of the City of York Council's street environment team, some volunteers from Clifton Parish Church and other local residents, for the cleaning spree, which was part of a Clean Up Clifton campaign.

They cleared away litter and bricks which had been left blocking the alleyway.

Local police officers were on hand in the area with the mobile police station and gloves and equipment were provided for anyone who wanted to join in.

The clean-up follows a meeting at the church last month, in which local residents came up with a range of solutions for the alley.

PC Matt Smith, of Clifton's neighbourhood policing team, said: "Over the years, we have had many reports suggesting that the alley is a nuisance and should be closed for various reasons.

"Rather than close it we would like to solve the problems.

"A lot of suggestions were put forward at the meeting, which we are looking into but, in the meantime, we wanted to get the alleyway cleaned up."

He added: "As far as we're concerned the clean-up was a great success.

"We managed to clear away all the rubbish and debris, and it seemed to go down very well with members of the local community when they popped into the mobile police office to find out what we were doing.

"We are planning another public meeting in the near future to look at how we can maintain this now, and maybe consider other areas of Clifton as well."

PC Smith also thanked everyone who volunteered for Friday's clean-up for their help.