A “deep clean” of the East End was launched on Monday after £800,000 was set aside by Tower Hamlets Council to tidy up the borough.

The extra cash will be used to employ 10 street sweepers, two graffiti removal teams and two teams to scrub chewing gum off the streets.

Cabinet member for the environment Cllr Shahed Ali said: “I hope the cleansing programme strikes a chord with everyone that a clean and litter-free environment is a source of local pride and something each community should strive towards.”

The launch of the clean was held in Redchurch Street, Bethnal Green, on Monday afternoon, with teams now set to sweep the rest of the borough’s streets.