People power, or more accurately person power, proved its worth on Sunday as Helston’s Guildhall received a much needed facelift.

After town councillor Martine Knight realised she wouldn’t be available to help during this year’s Helston Town Tidy she decided to do her bit by sprucing up at least part of the building, knowing it couldn’t all be cleaned in time for the big day due to other vital works being needed first.

However, her plan needed a ‘volunteer’ to carry out the high, and strenuous, work, and she asked husband her Chris, to lend a hand for ‘a couple of hours’.

However, ‘a couple of hours’ soon escalated to six and a half, as the pair used wire brushes, elbow grease and water from the kennels to clean the lower front of the building. Martine said: “I am immensely proud of how Chris got it done. As I don’t know what the make-up of the Amenities Committee will be in the new civic year I wanted to end this year as chair on a high note. I’m a great believer in community spirit and Helston has an absolutely fantastic record of people just getting on and doing things. Holding meetings is important, of course, but getting things done is what makes a difference in the long term.”