More than 20 residents braved the wet weather to clean-up Weymouth town centre at the weekend.

The clean-up was organised by WeyPROGRESS, a new action group which has been launched to make the town ‘feel more loved.’

The group had its first meet-up on Saturday afternoon. Enthusiastic residents rallied outside Weymouth’s Debenhams wearing high-vis vests and armed with cleaning products, before taking to streets to make a difference.

The clean-up was an opportunity for residents to take action, exchange ideas and get to know one-another.

Janet Frame, a volunteer said: “It is really the only way anything will get done. We have got to start somewhere, people can’t moan that the place is a mess if they’re not prepared to do something about it.”

Chris Buckley attended the clean-up with his son James and said: “This is about doing something productive rather than chatting about it, and is very hands on.

“If we can get more than 20 volunteers together on a wet day, imagine what we can do on a nice afternoon.”

WeyPROGRESS was formed after new town centre manager Ed Warr was tasked with supporting the Weymouth regeneration plan. He then joined forces with business development officer, Isabel Howell and retired fire officer Mr Shearing, to kickstart the project.

Isabell Howell helped oversee the clean-up and said that despite the miserable weather, she was ‘impressed’ and ‘moved’ by the event’s turnout.

Mr Warr said: "We are creating a good sense of community. It has been a real pleasure to set up the group and it will make a difference in Weymouth."

Borough councillors, Christine James and James Farquharson also showed their support for the new group by getting their hands dirty.

Cllr Farquharson said: “I am pleased to be supporting an initiative that gets on and does stuff.

“The whole ethos of the group is let’s stop sitting and talking about doing stuff around tables and go out and make a difference.”

After the clean, group members went to Roger’s Coffee Shop on St Thomas Street, where they were treated to refreshments and given a chance to warm up.

Roger Mortimer, who owns the shop and took part in the clean, said he was happy to support the event.

He added: “It has been nice to meet like-minded people and do some good in the town, talking about doing something gets you nowhere. Hopefully it will be the first of many.”