A massive environmental clean-up of historic Princes Park in Liverpool is taking place next week.

It's part of the Respect week of action organised by Liverpool First partners including the city council, Merseyside Police, Mersey Fire and Rescue Service and the Primary Care Trust.

The week will be launched on Monday 9 February when community representatives will join park maintenance staff to clear rubbish from around the edge of the lake at the park and help remove graffiti from benches.

The 45 hectare site was the first public park to be designed by Joseph Paxton, and opened in the 1840s.

Other improvements at the park will include:

• Deep clean of the lake to remove rubbish

• Replacing and re-painting railings around the Sunburst Gates

• Re-setting cobbled paving

• Tree pruning and shrub planting

Some of the work will be carried out by young offenders as part of a community pay back reparation scheme run by the Probation Service.

Other activity includes new hanging baskets to brighten up Lodge Lane, work to facelift the Princes Park renewal area, truancy patrols, health and fitness events, youth activities and helping local residents into jobs and training.

A dozen skips will also be placed around the area each day for local residents to discard household rubbish.

Lib Dem Councillor Berni Turner, executive member for the environment, said: "The aim of the week is to make Princes Park and the surrounding area a better place to live, and make it sparkle.

"2009 is our Year of the Environment, and we are working closely with many different organisations to brighten up all areas of the city.

"It is vital that we raise the awareness of the importance of making Liverpool as clean and green as possible."

Councillor Marilyn Fielding, Lib Dem executive member for safer, stronger communities, said: "This series of events taking place in Princes Park will have a significant impact on improving life for the local community.

"We are committed to taking action to tackle the things local people have told us need improving."

A full calendar of events taking place during the week has been delivered to residents across the area.

It is the eighth in a series of nine weeks of action which have taken place across the city over the last few months.