A 'worrying' number of face masks were collected from the streets and verges of Sandwich as community members collaborated for a clean up.

28 volunteers including councillors covered the town last Sunday collecting 33 sacks of rubbish, plus abandoned signs, five tyres and several wheel hub caps.

But members of Sandwich and Bloom and the Town Team who led the clean-up were most shocked by a new type of litter - face masks.

Carole George from Sandwich in Bloom said: "The litter collected contained the normal rubbish like bottles, cans, packaging.

"The grass verges on the approach roads were covered in sandwich wrappers and cans. It would appear that those travelling in vehicles just throw them out of the window.

"A worrying problem was the number of face masks. I am sure that some, those made of material, had been accidentally dropped however many other appeared to be just discarded, which is a real health issue.

"The other key problem was cigarette ends, thousands of them, and they are not easy to pick up.

"We feel there needs to be more publicity regarding this issue and better rubbish bins across the town."

The group is asking residents to do their bit by taking care of the outside of their homes, as they prepare to enter the South East Bloom Competition next year.

Mrs George said: "I would like to thank all those who volunteered and giving up their morning to collect the town's rubbish.

"Their help was very much appreciated which was also evident by the many people who stopped to thank us."

Equipment for the clean up was loaned by Dover District Council (DDC) whose operatives helped clear away the rubbish sacks. The high-visibility jackets were loaned from the Lights/Festival committee.

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