A GROUP of litter pickers are getting back to cleaning up Halstead after being forced to stop by the lockdown.

Volunteers from Halstead in Bloom have returned to the war on rubbish after restarting their community litter pick event.

The group meet several times a month to go out into the town and clean up any mess they find.

They were forced to put their litter picking on hold when the lockdown came in at the end March.

Now the group has got back into the swing of things, already completing their first session and getting ready to host another this weekend.

Members were also gearing to take part in the Great British Spring Clean but it was also cancelled.

Now the event looks to be making a comeback in autumn, with Halstead volunteers keen to take part.

Halstead in Bloom secretary Julia Smith said: “Our usual community litter pick will take place on Sunday meeting at 10.30am in Chapel Street car park.

“We will keep to small groups and we will have litter sticks but bring your own gloves and wear suitable clothing.

“The town does look bright and cheerful and obviously the displays do need maintenance and watering where required.

“We have gained some volunteers over the last few months and many hands make light work.”

The group has also noticed an increase in litter since the lockdown was eased.

Mrs Smith added: “This isn’t the first litter pick. We did meet at the end of June in family groups and picked up litter from various areas. It is so sad that now lockdown has been eased there is much more litter.

“I noted groups of young people in Halstead Public Gardens last week and when I walked that way later was so disappointed to see the litter that had been left such as chocolate wrappers and crisp packets. I hope they don’t make that much mess at home.

“The Great Spring Clean was postponed from March until the autumn, and we will take part if that event goes ahead.”