A COUNCILLOR has urged visitors to drive-thru restaurants around the county to take their litter home after reports of fast food packaging being dumped in the road.

Councillor Mel Allcott, who represents the city’s Claines ward, urged those now using the easing of lockdown restrictions to visit fast food restaurants and drive-thrus to take rubbish home having seen leftover packaging and boxes from McDonald’s bought in Malvern then dumped outside homes in Worcester.

Cllr Allcott said that whilst she welcomed the wider re-opening of shops in Worcester especially as it gave local and independent businesses the chance to offer a takeaway service, she urged people to be responsible.

“Outside of the city and many other cities, national chain restaurants have opened their drive-thru restaurants,” she said. “Unfortunately, alongside this, I am receiving letters in relation to litter.

"I want to take this opportunity to urge people not to litter.

“Whilst unpleasant and irresponsible in normal times, there is now, the added risk of passing on the virus. If litter is dropped and shortly after, picked up by someone else, the virus could be passed on.”

Several McDonald’s drive-thrus reopened in Worcestershire on June 4, including the Blackpole restaurant in Worcester, the Malvern branch at the Three Counties Retail Park and a restaurant at The Link in Evesham.

Non-essential shops were allowed to open on High Streets throughout the county on Monday (June 15) as part of measures to ease coronavirus lockdown restrictions.

“It is reassuring for many, moves out of lockdown.

"Non-essential shops opened on Monday and driving in and out of the city, on prescription duty, it looked almost like a normal day,” said Cllr Allcott.

“In addition to retail, many bars, cafes, and restaurants, are providing a takeaway service.

“This adds to the shopping experience for many and it is brilliant to see local traders offering this service.”