MEMBERS of Lugar Boswell Thistle FC’s committee scored a super success in the village.

Calling themselves the Litter Ommitters they have teamed up off the park to clear Lugar of garbage dumped in their tight-knit neighbourhood.

While the Beast from the East swept through the entire country, closing roads and services, it was unable to make an impact on the hardy bunch of volunteers.

Better recognised in the community for the work they have done to revive the fortunes of the football team, they are now top of the league in many people’s estimation.

They donned their high-vis vests in some of East Ayrshire’s worst weather to ensure that the streets, countryside and walkways of Lugar were clean, green and vibrant.

The committee themselves were brought together by a love for The Jaggy Bunnets, seeing their team on the edge of folding and knowing the impact that that would have on the community they took over the club in 2016.

Two years later with the clubs fortunes turned around and sitting comfortably in the Ayrshire District League table, the committee have broadened their focus.

Lugar Boswell, whose gate in big fixtures can often be more than the population of the village, understood the impact the club fortunes had in community spirit within the village.

They decided to take steps to ensuring that regular quality football was only one of their achievements — and the Litter Ommitters were born.

Their resolve to complete weekly litter picks of the full area has resulted in them collecting more than 100 bags of rubbish since February.

This is the first step for their vision to put the community at the heart of everything they do with much more planned for the future.

Building on the litter task force the club have applied for funding to renovate their clubhouse into a community hub including plans for a pop up community café.

It will also serve as a base for hillwalkers to enjoy the many treks around the village and a welcoming setting for bingo, bridge or any other activities which would be welcomed by local residents.

Club secretary and manager, Lauchlan Millar, said: “As a club Lugar Boswell are pleased with how we have progressed on the field, however it is our renewed community focus and the recognition from local residents which has been really empowering.

“When we talk to people about their needs for the village and how our plans have been adapted around them we really find the support and buzz for the projects phenomenal.”

Lauchlan and the team were joined by councillors for the area, including deputy provost Claire Leitch.

She said: “The Litter Ommitters are doing a great job encouraging their local community to be clean, green and vibrant. They are a small team with big aspirations and I wish them every success in the future with all their exciting ventures.

“It takes just a small step to make a big difference to the lives of a whole community. Organising the weekly litter picks has increased pride in the village and encouraged others to do their bit. I hope other communities across East Ayrshire will follow their lead.”

MSP Jeane Freeman added: “I was really disappointed to hear recently that levels of litter in Scotland are at their highest level in 10 years, so it’s great to see local communities such as Lugar tackle this problem head on.

“While local authorities can help, it is also falls to us as individuals and communities to stamp out on this irresponsible behaviour and not cause litter in the first place.

“I applaud the work that the Lugar volunteers are doing to make sure that there community is a litter-free zone.”