'CLEAN and green' was the message when a safety partnership hit the streets to make an impact in the community.

The day was organised in Blacon by the area's community safety partnership and organisations with which the partnership works.

It followed on from the success of Blacon Car Clear Plus, an initiative which led to a 75% reduction in abandoned and burnt-out cars on the estate.

During the event, the partnership was looking to promote the 'clean and green' message with local people and organisations.

It says discussions had been taking place for some time about how to improve Blacon's environment.

Key organisations came together for the one day initiative which involved large sections of the community, especially young people and organisations which regularly work in Blacon.

Schools carried out litter picks in their grounds and pupils learned abouttheir environment and the consequences of discarding litter.

Those taking part were supported by safety equipment and litter collections provided free of charge by Chester City Council.

Cheshire Police, among other enforcement activities, worked with Cheshire County Council education welfare officers to challenge truanting behaviour.

Cheshire Fire Service conducted fire safety displays at The Parade as well as registering residents for the provision of free home fire safety checks and the installation of free smoke alarms.

Also at The Parade was a county council trading standards display relating to doorstep crime while advice was available from the city council on energy efficiency and grants.

Elsewhere in the area, Chester's community safety wardens were installing 'Smart Water' in residents' homes to deter burglars and signing up other residents for the future.

This was backed by the city council fitting 'Smart Water' street signs on the gateways into Blacon.

Cheshire Probation Service, working with staff from the city council's environment services, utilised un-paid workers to clear littered areas of Blacon and cut back overgrown brambles and bushes. The city council's graffiti-buster service and Chester and District Housing Trust tackled outbreaks of graffiti. david.norbury@cheshirenews.co.uk