A BLITZ on untidy neighbourhoods have been given a boost as Basildon Council’s new Pride Teams get to work.

In July, Basildon Council’s regeneration and environment committee agreed to increase the number of Pride Teams from one to three in a bid to clean up communities.

The new teams officially started their work yesterday following on induction at the Barleylands Depot, in Billericay, on Friday.

They will each be responsible for a designated area – these include Billericay and Wickford; Fryerns, Laindon and Langdon Hills; or Vange, Nethermayne and Pitsea.

The work of Pride Teams includes clearing undergrowth from footpaths, removing dumped litter from wooded areas, deep cleansing untidy areas and enhancing shrub beds.

Councillor Alan Ball, chairman of Basildon Council’s regeneration and environment committee, said: “We are committed to making this borough a place to be proud of for our residents and doing the basics like improving cleanliness is key to achieving that.”