Offenders to help with Leith clean-up
Offenders on community payback schemes are to help police officers and council workers clean up Leith.
A three-week initiative to improve how the area looks, called Shipshape Leith, is now under way.
Graffiti, stickers, posters and cable ties will be removed from bins, lampposts, street signs, bus stops, post boxes and telephone boxes.
A number of streets are being targeted as part of the initiative.
They include Leith Walk, Easter Road, Bonnington Road, Broughton Street, Duke Street, Newhaven Place to Salamander Street, North Junction Street, Great Junction Street and Constitution Street.
A special volunteer day has also been organised for Friday in Constitution Street, where residents and representatives from the business community will join council staff and police in the clean-up.
'Immense satisfaction '
Lesley Hinds, Edinburgh City Council's environment convener, said: "The community spirit on display in Leith shows what can be achieved when everyone comes together with a common goal.
"At the end of the day the winners from this initiative are going to be those people who live and work in the area.
"No one likes seeing their streets looking untidy, so I am sure the work planned over the coming weeks will have a positive impact. It is something everyone can take immense satisfaction and pride from."
Sgt Gordon Duff, from Lothian and Borders Police, said: "This initiative is a fantastic example of just some of the joint working that is being undertaken around the Kirkgate and Great Junction Street areas of Leith."