CHINEHAM litter pick: About 30 residents, young and old, turned out for the Chineham Easter litter pick last Saturday.

While litter picking might not be a "must do" event, it turned out to be very rewarding in terms of the amount of rubbish collected and benefited from great camaraderie.

What was less satisfying was coming face to face with the massive amount of litter of all types, just idly thrown into bushes and elsewhere. Sometimes this was within merely a stride from a litter bin.

Special thanks must go to the principal activists, namely local Cub and Scout groups and their leaders.

POLICE news: Following recent permanent promotion to sergeant, Mark O'Hanlon will shortly be leaving his role as beat bobby for Chineham.

His successor, Pc Jim Charlton, is already getting to know the beat and can be contacted by e-mail on james.charlton@hampshire.pnn.police.uk