Residents are being urged to do their bit in keeping Southend tidy.

It comes as the council role out "Operation Heatwave" - a plan to ensure the borough is ready to welcome back visitors as restrictions are eased and temperatures warm up.

The council are now urging visitors and residents to take responsibility of their rubbish when out at the beach or in parks.

Alongside its street cleansing programme, the council has now introduced new measures to manage waste during peak times.

Additional larger EuroBins have been put in place across Southend, including two more in Old Leigh, four at East Beach and ten more at City Beach.

Additional litter picking and bin emptying will take place in parks at weekends and during the school holidays - with four staff based at Belfairs park, Priory park, Chalkwell park and Southchurch park from 11.30am to 7.30pm.

Extra litter picking will also take place at Thorpe Bay Gardens, Shoebury Common, Leigh Cliffs and Marine Parade.

Two extra mobile litter pickers will support other areas.

Steve Moore, executive director, neighbourhoods and environment, said: “Southend has amazing award-winning beaches and fantastic parks and green spaces and we want all our residents and visitors to be able to have a great experience when visiting them.

“However, we have found that, on occasion, there is a lot of rubbish being left behind by people who have had picnics and drinks for example.

“Despite more bins and more emptying in place, large volumes of picnic waste can fill up litter bins more quickly than usual. If this is the case, instead of leaving your rubbish next to a bin, please find an empty one or take the picnic rubbish back home.

“We all want to live in a clean and safe environment and I urge residents and visitors to help us keep it that way. We want everyone to enjoy living in Southend and visit their local park and green spaces without the sight of litter strewn everywhere.” Stuart Atkinson, senior contract manager, Veolia, said: “Our street cleansing teams are working exceptionally hard to keep the seafront and parks clean and to empty bins as quickly as they can. We really do need everyone to be responsible and bin their rubbish or take it home with them.”