FLY-TIPPERS have been discouraged from blighting a Crewe alleyway after residents joined in with a community project.

Now they are painting a mural on the alleyway bordering Westminster Street and Walthall Street with the help of Crewe and Nantwich MP Dr Kieran Mullan.

Local artist David Jewkes has been commissioned to help the spruce-up effort.

Work started on the scheme in May with town councillors also joining in along with Crewe Clean Team, Crewe Goodgym and Crewe Residents Against Fly Tipping.

Rubbish and weeds have been eradicated and wall-hung plant pots and planters installed to transform the alleyway and put it back into use as a community space.

Since the work started residents have reported a big drop in fly tipping and abandoned bins in the area.

Crewe's MP was inspired to launch the project after seeing images of transformed alleyways in other parts of the country. As a result a partnership was formed with Anfield-based charity Alley Angels.

Funding has been provided by Crewe company Radius Payment Solutions.

The MP said: "I first saw about community alleyway projects a couple of years ago and thought we should try it in Crewe. Lockdown has meant we had to wait to get this going.

"But we have had such an amazing time working with residents to transform this alleyway. Our alleyway champion Denise has been there from day one helping us and speaking to residents and getting people on board.

"So it was great for her to join us on starting the mural. I am incredibly grateful to all the residents and community activists who have helped us, giving many hours of their time. And of course thanks to Radius without whom this would not have been possible."

The alleyway project is taking place as Cheshire East Council's Cleaner Crewe pilot project continues its roll out.

The initiative is being trialled over the summer in 26 streets in central Crewe, which have been blighted by poor waste management, including contamination of bins and fly-tipping.

The scheme sees the borough council and town council working together as one team, to enhance street cleanliness, combat the problems of poor domestic waste management and tackle anti-social and illegal waste disposal.

The intention is to not only tackle those individuals who commit environmental crime but also reassure residents, who are suffering as a result, that such offences will not be tolerated.

If successful, the pilot could be rolled out across the borough.