Rubbish tip

LITTER in Dunmow High Street on Saturday morning has been branded a disgrace following the late-night shopping event on Friday night.

Shopkeepers and residents were up in arms as they woke up on Saturday morning to the town looking "as if a bomb had hit it".

Michael Saunders, owner of GW Blower jewellers, raised major concerns over Uttlesford District Council's (UDC) part to play in the tidy up - a sentiment, which has been echoed by

many traders and the public.

Mr Saunders said: "The district council, in its wisdom, deemed Dunmow not worthy this year of a clear up. This flies in the face of all 'apparent support' for the people of Dunmow and its traders."

According to Mr Saunders the district council should hang its head in shame as trading against internet shopping, high rents

and rates, and large shopping centres is making business tough enough already.

He asked: "How can the town survive let alone thrive when its own council won't clear the streets following a late-night shopping event?"

Shopkeepers are not the only ones to raise the concern. Trevor Laws, an amateur photographer, lives on the High Street.

He said: "Looking through my window on Saturday morning was like seeing something from a disaster movie. It was as if the townsfolk had left in a hurry dropping everything as they went," he said.

Mr Saunders stressed that the night had been a successful

one as it reminded old friends and customers of what a

positive experience shopping in the town can be.

But he added: "We were shocked to find the town looking like a rubbish tip the next day."

Ron Pridham, UDC's head of street services, said: "Wires got crossed this year. Litter bins were emptied on Saturday and the rest was cleared on Sunday.

"Both councils have worked alongside each other for years and intend to do so in the future despite this blip with the event organisers, which was an oversight.