"IT'S about social responsibility, and action, not words."

This was the message from the Conservative's prospective parliamentary candidate for Selby and Ainsty, as he led a group of volunteers in a litter pick.

And he was joined in the work at Sherburn-in-Elmet library by the Shadow Chancellor, George Osborne.

"We got about 18 volunteers there to generally clear up the area," Mr Adams said.

"We've received a few complaints from residents following a survey we carried out.

"There used to be a seating area near the library, and youths congregate there of an evening. A few people had said it had become an eyesore.

"We just thought we'd get on with it and sort it out.

"You can wait for the authorities to do something, or you can get cracking yourself."

He said Mr Osborne had been in the district for a business lunch at Hazelwood Castle, near Tadcaster, and had dropped by to lend a hand.

Mr Adams said he was looking to carry out more days of action, following a similar operation in Abbot's Road, Selby.