RESIDENTS on the outskirts of Chester joined a socially distanced clean up over the weekend and collected more than 40 bags of rubbish in two hours.

The event took place in Dunham on the Hill and Hapsford and included local parish councillors.

Discarded items were picked up from verges and hedgerows in the area.

Within just two hours, 20 residents collected more than 40 bags of rubbish from around the parish’s lanes.

Keith Bradley, acting parish council chair, said: “On behalf of the parish council I would like to thank those residents who went the extra mile by volunteering for our Easter litter pick campaign.

"It was encouraging to see so many residents of all age groups from young children to pensioners get involved; it showed great community pride and spirit.

"Litter attracts litter. People have become used to rubbish-strewn verges and we urge people to take their rubbish home, don’t drop it, bin it.

"Don’t throw it out of the car window, bin it at home. It may sound obvious but from evidence around the lanes in our villages’, that this is not the case – plastic and glass bottles, crisp packets, sweet wrappers, fast food containers, household waste as well as fly tipping, the list goes on.

"The sheer volume of rubbish collected in such a short space of time was absolutely shocking. It would appear that during lockdown the dropping of litter and fly tipping has increased dramatically.

"We ask everyone to take their litter home if unable to dispose of in local waste bins. Litter isn’t just unsightly for people – it’s dangerous for animals including domestic pets, wildlife and also contaminates soil and water.”