The thought of someone starting a clean-up operation at 4.30am might conjure up pictures of a nightclub waving it’s last guests goodbye - but nothing so cosy for the Dynamic Environmental Response Team (DERT) they are out on the approach roads to Great Yarmouth no matter what the weather.

The DERT squad has to litter pick places like the bypass and dual carriageways when most of us are in bed so that they create the least hold up for motorists… The same motorists who have caused most of the rubbish by throwing it out of their cars as they drive along.

“We have to start early when there is the least traffic about, otherwise we get blamed for causing a tail-back,” said Assistant Operations Manager (Cleansing) Terry Bensley.

“While lay-bys are litter picked weekly, the main parts of the road are cleaned every three months. During that time we not only remove sweet wrappers, we also come across furniture and even the occasional dead animal which we have to dispose of.

“The current round of litter picking is to coincide with start of the annual verge cutting programme.”

For further information contact Assistant Operations Manager (Cleansing) Terry Bensley on 01493 846144 or e-mail tb@great-yarmouth.gov.uk.