TWO used syringes were found near a Swindon community centre during a clean-up day.

Several Swindon councillors found them in shrubbery 100 yards from Eldene Community Centre.

It was part of a massive tidy up of the area, which saw 11 bin liners filled to the brim with rubbish at the weekend.

The Conservative Parliamen-tary Candidate for South Swindon, Robert Buckland, said: "We collected a lot of rubbish and spoke to a lot of residents at the same time.

"I think they were very appreciative we were cleaning up their local area.

"We were literally getting our hands dirty to improve the community.

"A clean environment is one of the best ways you can take pride in the place you live.

"I think it has a big effect in crime reduction as well.

"This is the right approach and we are keen to extend this to south Swindon."

Coun Kevin Parry (Con, Dorcan) gave up his Saturday afternoon with his wife and children to all take part.

"On the run-up to the election many residents said to me that the area could do with a clean," he said.

"The Green Day took place as a result of this.

"The weather was very kind to us and we filled 11 bags with rubbish.

"We gave the centre of Eldene a good clean up and worked our way down through The Meads and had good fun along the way.

"Overall it was a great team effort.

"Bowleymead Square in particular looked so much better afterwards.

"A few local residents dropped by to say hello and seemed to appreciate our efforts.

"This was a very worthwhile exercise and I, for one, am so glad we did it.

"It was very easy to organise and we would like to arrange another, next time in Liden, in the near future."

Council leader Rod Bluh was also involved in the clear-up.

"It's surprising how a little bit of action goes a long way and makes a big difference," he said.

"We found wrappers, plastic bottles, bits of old bikes and syringes."