TORY councillors did their bit to help out residents and keep the area they serve litter free.

Basildon Council leader Tony Ball and fellow Wickford North councillor Michael Mowe, put on their hi-vis jackets and grabbed a litter picker to help out during a pride in your area day in the town.

The councillors were in the Hill Avenue and Southend Road area of Wickford and Mr Ball said they were happy to help.

He said: “It’s what councillors should do. One, it shows residents we are out there and two, it gives a boost to the staff and shows councillors appreciate what they are doing.

“There was quite a lot to clean up, not as much as in some areas because of recycling and how that’s been taken up in Wickford - it was well received by the residents.”

The council has been running dedicated clean-ups in areas around the borough for four years.

It gives residents an opportunity to clear out large and bulky items free of charge, and when council staff visit an area to carry out tasks including, picking up litter, removing graffiti, sweeping gutters and cleaning alleyways.

By the end of this year, 48,000 households will have been covered as a result of the action days over the past four years.