MEMBERS of a group dedicated to cleaning up their town formed a guard of honour with their litter pickers to celebrate their founder's wedding.

After Val Green, who started Brightlingsea Litter Pickers in 2011, tied the knot to husband Alan Wareing at Colchester Town Hall, the newlyweds were greeted in the foyer by her fellow cleaners who donned their hi-vis jackets and decorated their grabbers for the occasion.

The guard of honour was a complete surprise to Val, and Mike Drake said he and fellow volunteers were delighted to be part of her special day.

He said: "We had a spy on the inside who let us know when to be in position and it was a complete surprise.

"There was eight of us and it was a complete surprise, it went down well and I think it was very much appreciated.

"The group was founded in 2011, Val had moved from an area where there was one and wanted to get one started in Brightlingsea.

"We meet roughly once a month to do a walk around the town and then there is a social aspect to it as well.

"Currently there are more than 20 members of the group and we also cover special events such as the Free Music Festival.

"Many members of the group do extra picks around the area in which they live."