Residents and a councillor have expressed their frustration over the state of Romford Market, which has been branded "a mess".

The market has been described as "disgusting", "a mess" and one person felt it has never been as bad.

Ray Smith, a resident, claimed the market "always" has rubbish left there when it's finished. 

"It has never been this bad though," he added.

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Fellow resident Robert Lee said the market was "absolutely disgusting" and questioned why the mess has not been cleaned up by Havering Council staff.

"[There's] no excuse for it," he said. "What time do the street cleaners finish?"

A Havering Council spokesperson said its street cleaning team works daily to maintain the area and work with traders to ensure pitches are cleared.

The spokesperson added that its enforcement officers will take action and issue fines to those caught littering in the borough.

On July 24 this year, the council came under fire after a video appeared to show an elderly woman being issued a £150 fixed penalty notice for dropping a piece of paper.

The council apologised, but its enforcement teams continue to operate in an effort to crack down on littering.

David Taylor, Conservative councillor for St Edwards ward, said he is disappointed that the market is "regularly a mess".

"With a new enforcement team fining residents £150 for littering, I think it only right the council also crack down on littering from other sources."

Jane Keane, Labour councillor for St Albans ward, said on Facebook that if there is proof market traders litter there should be enforcement.

But Cllr Keane also pointed to what she described as a lack of funding available from central government to the council for services such as street cleaning.