A WINTER litter-picking group have said they are surprised by how much rubbish they collected in their latest blitz on trash.

The Asheldham and Dengie winter litter pickers recovered more than 60 bags of litter in just two hours from roadside verges over the weekend.

More than 20 residents, including children and parents, turned up to help out at what is one of two litter picks the group arranges every year.

Colin Cooper, chairman of Asheldham Residents’ Association, said: “It was great to see so many people turn up to help and afterwards we all enjoyed a lovely meal together in the village hall, but the sad thing is always the amount of litter we collect.”

Adrian Fluker, Asheldham and Dengie parish councillor and leader of Maldon District Council, said: “We’ve been arranging two litter picks in the village for a number of years and I am always surprised at how much litter we find.

“Most of it appears to be discarded from vehicles.

“Apart from making the verges look untidy the litter also impacts on the ecology and environment which is something we must all work towards protecting.

“Members of the public should take their rubbish home with them and recycle it accordingly.”