Croydon Council has drafted in new recruits in the fight to keep the borough clean.

The four additional cleaners will be working from 2pm to 10pm each day, focusing on areas in the north of the borough, including Norbury, Bensham Manor, West Thornton and Broad Green.

These district centres have previously been criticised for cleanliness by residents, and also identified in a service review by the council.

Cabinet member for Clean, Green Croydon, said: “Our aim is to make Croydon the cleanest and greenest borough in London.

“We know the public is concerned about the standard of street cleaning in our district centres and have taken on extra support to help improve this.

“The additional cleaners are one of a range of initiatives to tackle the issues of fly-tipping, recycling, street cleanliness and environmental enforcement, under the clean and green agenda.”

The new hirings bring the number of people working on the street cleaning service up to 136.