An area of Kent has been hailed as one of the cleanest places in the UK - by Britain's number one litter picker.

The glowing endorsement about Romney Marsh comes from Wayne Dixon, who has spent the last three years walking around the country's coastline collecting discarded waste and highlighting the impact of littering on the environment.

Mr Dixon, who is always accompanied by his loyal dog Koda, often visits schools and speaks to pupils about his work, and has been named as a Litter Hero Ambassador for the Keep Britain Tidy campaign.

He has visited Romney Marsh twice in the last few weeks; he interrupted his time in Brighton to attend the unveiling of the Litter Picking Watch Romney Marsh (LPWRM) group's new trailer, after founding member Eric Brown invited him along.

The trailer will be used to carry equipment to the group's regular clean ups, and promote their anti-littering message.

Mr Dixon, from Scotland, then returned to Sussex before making his way back along the coast to Kent by foot.

Mr Brown, also an ambassador for Keep Britain Tidy, said Mr Dixon "instantly noticed the lack of litter" when he crossed the border into Kent.

As well as scouring the coast for litter, Mr Dixon helped LPWRM members deep clean an area off London Road, in Hythe, which needed some work.

And on his departure he deemed the area and those who help keep it tidy as 'remarkable'.

He told the group: "The area that you cover has been the cleanest area that I have seen on my entire journey.

"It's absolutely remarkable what you have all achieved since you started.

"Your group is an amazing model for others to aspire to.

"I will be talking about your group for a long time."

He added: "This area is definitely worth a visit, especially Dungeness, one of my favourite places."

Mr Brown said of the glowing praise: "I feel very proud of the team, we have made such a noticeable difference to the area we live in and that was noticed by Wayne.

"In three plus years and covering over 3,600 miles he found I believe a model of how he would like the rest of Great Britain to look like."

After leaving Marsh, Mr Dixon walked to Folkestone and on towards Dover, and said he found a massive 'grot spot' by a lay-by where a grass verge had been cut, revealing lots of litter.

To follow Mr Dixon's journey visit here, or to support the litter pickers of Romney Marsh, click here.

Read more: All the latest news from Romney Marsh