An Upper Clapton housing estate has been awarded a five star rating for its cleanliness and upkeep.

The Clean Britain judges praised residents along with the council’s arms length housing manager Hackney Homes for making Beecholme Estate in Prout Road a pleasant place to live and visit.

Improvements have included bins decorated with specially produced artwork, new signs and benches by well-known sculptor Tim Norris.

David White, secretary of the Beecholme & Casimir Tenants’ and Residents’ Association, said: “The quality of our visual environment is critical to our quality of life and feeling of self worth.”