Christian clean-up

Litter, graffiti and dog dirt will be prime targets as the community crusaders sweep through the Layton area, transforming their surroundings, and the way people think about them.

Public loos and the local cemetery are also listed for a Christian clean-up by the group from the two Church of England parishes, St Thomas's and St Mark's, Layton.

Some 300 homes will be given the good news on special flyers that "M.I.L.C. is good for you".

The weekend M.I.L.C. (Mission in Layton Community) initiative will also be shared with people in the Layton Square area on Saturday (August 25) when M.I.L.C. volunteers give away free cups of tea, soft drinks, sweets, balloons and tissues.

Street theatre and music, face painting, a puppet show and balloon modelling will all underline the message from an information stand.

The M.I.L.C. initiative will continue on Sunday (August 26) with a sports tournament on Kingscote Park, and invitations to join the weekly "Late Service" at St Thomas', starting at 8.45 p.m.

Damian Platt, M.I.L.C. mastermind and youth pastor at St Thomas's, said: "Our aim over the weekend is to change the perspectives of those who view young people as trouble makers who hang about on street corners and do little else.

"This will show we are willing to get involved and to do good. We also hope to meet and challenge other young people and hope that this example will spur them on to get involved, too.

"We hope this whole weekend will dispel the myth that church is boring, only for Sundays and out of touch with the 'real' world!"

The Rev George Fisher, vicar of St Thomas's, said: "On speaking with businesses and groups in the Layton area we have received a good response, and we are looking forward to seeing the results of all the hard work these young people have put in.

"It's great to see them willing to be involved in such a venture and I hope that many people will come along to see just what it's all about."