THURROCK Council has issued an appeal to borough residents to 'give space' to their waste bin collection crews.

The council has courted controversy because of the way it has managed its bin teams, with the Unite union warning that its members were ready to withdraw their labour unless the crews were afforded more protection.

The council has not commented on that but has issued the following message: "When our waste crews, highway maintenance teams and other officers are out in the community, please give them space to complete their work.

"Follow social distancing guidance and keep two metres away from others when you are outside the house. Thank you for your support."

The council has also reminded residents, with more people than normal at home in the daytime, to take care with parking. It says: "More and more of us are at home and so are our vehicles: please remember to leave space for emergency services, and refuse and delivery vehicles when parking. "