SHOP staff and businesses on Grays High Street have been told they will now be responsible for keeping up appearances after a team of council engagement officers and volunteers from community groups spent a day sprucving up shop fronts.

Specifically they removed many stickers that adorn shop shutters and frontages and also flyposters in a one-on clean up operation entitled 'Operation Abbey'.

As well as cleaning up, engagement officers informed business owners how they can tackle anti-social behaviour. Seventeen businesses agreed to join the operation in advance, including S C Barbers, Poundcity, Lulu Cakes and Feast.

Council leader Cllr Rob Gledhill was present while the operation took place and said: "It may seem trivial but flyposting either in poster or sticker form makes an area look unkempt and gives the impression no one cares.

"There has been an increase in the number of local offences recently, with shops and other premises targeted overnight by people fly-posting stickers without consent or permission. Over the years these have built up to be unsightly, bring the area down and even impact on our excellent Keep Britain tidy scores.

"Thurrock Council officers have been working with shop owners to outline they have the responsibility to remove these stickers now their shop fronts are cleaned. Before removing the stickers evidence will be taken to help the council prosecute the companies or individuals responsible for the offence. Fines can be up to £150.

"On the whole, those involved in the clean-up operation used inexpensive household equipment readily available in high street stores and it took only minutes to remove years of stickers from the street.

"All business owners are now aware that they will need to continue to keep the shutters clear and will be provided with an after-care letter advising on how they can report future offences.

"I'd like to thank everyone who offered up their free time on the day to not only tackle these issues and help make our high street clean once more. It was great to hear feedback from residents on the day that it was long overdue and made a difference to the look of the High Street. If this turns into a success the project will be rolled out across the borough to help improve all shopping areas and send the message out that Thurrock has no place for fly posting."