FIREFIGHTERS were called after yobs set fire to a pile of rubbish which had been collected by community-spirited volunteers.

The blaze was started sometime after 6pm on Saturday after councillors and residents cleared Burdett Avenue, in Westcliff, of litter and large household items.

The clear-up, which lasted from 11am to 2pm, attracted about 20 volunteers and they managed to collect a huge pile of waste, including a mattress and a fridge freezer.

Councillor Cheryl Nevin, who helped organise the event, said: “Residents were so pleased by the turnout and the teas and coffees supplied by St Albans Church that they have vowed to continue their community spirit.”

However Ms Nevin claimed that Veolia waste company failed to pick up the pile of waste on Saturday afternoon, having previously dropped off gloves, bags and litter pickers.

She added: “Quick-thinking residents averted further crisis by calling fire services promptly, it was lucky that no gas cylinders were in the pile.”