RUBBISH was left scattered around Hadleigh Castle Country Park after bank holiday weekend saw an influx of visitors.

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Since the easing of lockdown, people can travel as far as they like for unlimited exercise.

The bin at the entrance of the park was overflowing with rubbish piling up beneath it and blowing across the path.

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Ann Horgan, head of governance at Castle Point Council, confirmed the bins had now been cleared after several return trips, and would be regularly monitored.

She also pointed out that the issues with rubbish down at the county park have been ongoing for some time and was not entirely due to park visitors.

She said: "I can confirm that the large bin has been emptied by our refuse team this morning and our street cleansing contractor will be visiting to undertake a litter pick of Castle Lane.

"The large bin was put in place some years ago to serve users of the county park which is managed by Essex County Council, but unfortunately overtime the bin has also been used by people to dispose of their household waste and we have also found trade waste in it, which are clearly not what it was intended for.

"I have contacted Essex County Council suggesting to them that the large bin is removed and we replace it with a number for street litter bins.

"While this suggestion if introduced, may not solve the unwanted dumping it will allow us to clear the bins and any unwanted waste more easily without the use of a refuse vehicle.

"Whilst I await a response from Essex County Council our inspectors will be visiting the bin regularly to monitor how it is being used."