FAST food workers spent six hours cleaning up the streets of Basildon.

Twenty staff members from KFC branches at the Mayflower retail park, Pitsea retail park and nearby Tarpots, in Benfleet, volunteered to tackle litter in the area.

It was part of a countywide campaign called the Cleaner Essex Group, in which local authorities work alongside businesses to raise awareness of rubbish.

Huw James, director of Kefco Sales, the franchise which operates KFC restaurants in Essex, said: “I’m personally very proud of the incredible response we’ve had from KFC employees willing to get their hands dirty to try to make the area a litter- free zone.

“We’re really happy to be working as part of this campaign with other businesses and the local council and are keen to collaborate with Basildon residents on any future local initiatives.”