Ipswich mayor Sarah Barber took to the streets in the Pinecroft area of north west Ipswich this morning in support of the “unsung heroes” emptying the town’s bins.

Mrs Barber joined the three-man crew of Craig, Joe and Robert aboard the new £160,000 bin lorry affectionately named Holly, where she helped the crew collect nearly 1,800 bins from the beginning of their shift at 6am.

Their work was monitored from Gipping House where all the rounds are seen and updates made on traffic issues, obstructions, and other problems.

Mrs Barber said: “It was a rewarding experience – these crews work really, really hard and do a great job for residents.

“I am really impressed.

“They are our unsung heroes and it was a pleasure to meet them – albeit at half five this morning – and to go out and see what they actually do.”