Two apprentices went above and beyond the call of duty in a bid to raise awareness of littering and fouling.

Jazmin Cross, 18, and 16-year-old Hannah Lillis, who work for Swale council, dressed up as a cigarette butt and as a fast food box of chicken and chips when Operation Bin It was held at The Forum last Friday.

The joint venture between the environment team and local PCSO Dan Rudden, was supported on the day by MP Gordon Henderson, Cllr David Simmons, cabinet member for the environment, Cllr John Wright and Cllr Derek Conway.

During the day leaflets and mobile cigarette cases people can stub their cigarettes butts out in were handed out to shoppers who visited the stand.

Senior environment warden Gel Chidley, said: “It attracted a lot of attention for the full four hours we were there. In fact we had to stay on another half an hour because the queue was still going.

“I must single out Hannah and Jazmin who never stopped smiling the whole time they were in their costumes.

“We put these events on every quarter but it does show how much littering and dog fouling matters, as well as the engaging with people to find out the issues that affect them, judging by the comments we received today.”

Jazmin is a former Westlands School pupil and Hannah went Highsted Grammar School, both in Sittingbourne.

Cllr Simmons said: “Littering is one of the biggest single issues the council has to deal with on a daily basis and probably the most requested problem our residents are concerned with.

“Although it is a serious issue, our Environment Team do a great job in also making it a fun day for all concerned.”

Mr Henderson added: “We live in a borough that has a number of areas of outstanding natural beauty, which are often spoilt by littering and fly-tipping. That is why I started the Litter Angels charity a few years back to help educate people to the anti-social nature of litter.”