Love Southend, Hate Litter

Last weekend it was estimated that ten tonnes of litter was removed from our beaches as thousands flocked to Southend to bask in the hot weather in the busiet weekend of the year.

Despite the best efforts of our contractors to consistently empty the 300 plus bins along our seafront there were many visitors who still left rubbish on our beaches. This weekend, along with my colleague Cllr Jarvis, I was delighted to launch the Love Southend, Hate Litter campaign in conjunction with the Southend Echo.

The campaign, which will feature in tomorrow's Echo is designed to encourage visitors to the town to show embrace civic pride in the town. I am the first to recognise that we are fortunate to have a wonderful seafront which many want to come and enjoy. I want to encourage as many as possible to see and visit our wonderful beaches and attractions but also want to encourage people to deposit their rubbish responsibility.

My message is simple, come and enjoy Southend and feel free to deposit your rubbish in one of our 300 plus bins along our seafront or take your rubbish home with you but please consider residents and other visitors who want to see southend a clean, safe and pleasant place.