The annual make-over event Clean Up Clapton Day - designed to improve the image of the place which used to be known as “the Murder Mile” – saw more people than ever getting involved.

Centred around BSix College in Kenninghall Road, there were various cleaning initiatives like jetting paving stones and hoovering leaves, as well as a stall from Community Service Volunteers, persuading people to join in clearing rubbish from Clapton Pond in a fortnight.

Pupils at Northwold School submitted their poetry for a competition on the theme of “A pleasant environment to live in” and the Speaker, Cllr Jessica Webb came along to the event last Thursday too.

Hackney Downs ward Cllr Michael Desmond who helps organise the event said fear of crime has diminished in the area.

“Following the Olympics more people are looking at Hackney generally and Clapton in particular, as a pleasant place to live - the area has transformed itself over the past ten years or so,” he said.