Bank holiday revellers left their mark on parks and green spaces across Epping Forest – and it was left to others to clean up.

With temperatures soaring to 23°C many took to the parks to enjoy the weather with a few drinks while – in most cases – adhering to social distancing guidelines.

However, many inconsiderate revellers left litter strewn across the parks they visited.

In Roding Valley Recreational Ground one resident reported youths flouting lockdown guidelines, congregating in a large group to drink beers and inhale Nitrous Oxide (known as laughing gas) cannisters.

The infuriated resident – who wished to remain anonymous – said the park was often being used by large groups of young people to socialise who ‘do not take social distancing seriously’.

At Epping Forest rubbish hotspots Connaught Waters, High Beach and Fairmead, 17 socially distanced members of Orion Harriers running club cleaned up revellers remains in a prearranged ‘plogging’ session – running or walking while collecting litter.

Bob Glasgow, of the Orion Harriers, said: “Bank holiday weekend forest users certainly left their mark with the amount of litter they managed to deposit into every crevice of the forest.

“A particular highlight was a full set of crockery from Catacombs corner kindly deposited in a ditch. Each member diligently done their best to return the forest to relative normal despite the ongoing partying.”

Ploggers were kitted out with litter stick and bags supplied by the Corporation of London warden volunteer.

Bob added: “This is an ongoing battle that Orion Harriers has been taking part in for a good while now and as the forest is our home we urge everyone to take their rubbish home with them and abide by the bye laws and refrain from using BBQs.

“Remember when you visit the forest take nothing but memories and leave nothing but footprints.”

If you would like to be part of future plogging events then join the Epping Forest ploggers group on Facebook, email info@orionharriers.com or message 07505561833 for details.

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