A campaign aiming to reduce litter in the district has cut branded rubbish loads by over 40 per cent. 

Epping Forest District Council joined forces with Essex local authorities and fast food chains throughout the summer in a bid to raise awareness of the issue and the risk of fines for those who littered.

The Love Essex campaign led to a reduction of over 40 per cent in fast food litter across the district.

Environmental charity, Keep Britain Tidy, which undertook a review of the campaign, found that Love Essex had assisted in a 21 per cent overall decrease in the amount litter across the county, with a 41% decrease in branded fast food litter.

Councillor and Portfolio Holder for the Environment Will Breare-Hall said: “Keeping our towns and countryside clean costs Essex taxpayers over £17 million a year, money which could be better spent.

“To achieve a 41 per cent decrease in fast food litter is great news but it is important we don’t stop here.

"We'll continue to tackle littering across the District and encourage even more people to 'Love Essex'.”