Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council has joined forces with other local authorities in Kent to clean up the Garden of England's roadsides.

A joint letter on behalf of all 13 Kent councils had been sent to Simon Jones, the director of Highways England, urging him to agree to a plan of action.

The letter demands better co-ordination so that councils can clean roadsides when roads are closed for maintenance and greater clarity over whose responsibility it is to clean up which roads.

It also says the councils should, along with Highways England, run a joint campaign discouraging motorists from throwing rubbish out of vehicles.

Councillor David Lettington, TMBC's cabinet member for environment services, said: “We are determined to crackdown on those who continue to litter the borough of Tonbridge and Malling and welcome the opportunity to work with neighbouring authorities to tackle litter across Kent.

"Working regularly with community groups and schools to educate local people on the importance of taking care of our environment only gets the message out so far and more needs to be done to reach a wider audience.

"Taking a collaborative approach in this way will hopefully further spread the anti-littering message and improve our approach to tackling litter over all.”

Councillor Rory Love, chairman of the Kent Resources Partnership, added: “The litter is thrown out of cars and lorries by inconsiderate drivers and passengers as they pass through our beautiful county but it’s the rest of us who have to suffer it and pay for its removal.

"There is an urgent need for a joint plan between Kent councils and Highways England to tackle the unacceptable level of litter.”