Waste workers have said seeing drawings and thank you notes in house windows makes "a huge difference" when carrying out essential services.

A campaign called #StreetSmiles has been launched by resource management company, Veolia, to recognise bin collectors who are working throughout the pandemic.

The initiative, which has now spread throughout the UK, is asking people to put pictures of smiling suns, thank you notes or other posts of appreciation on their windows at home or somewhere near to their bins.

Workers have said they feel delighted by the public support they have seen so far.

Watford Observer:

A smiling sun drawing. Credit: Watford Borough Council/Veolia

Veolia Waste Collector, Ricardo Fernandes said: "When I started to see the smiling suns coming through for us it made my day.

"I’m proud to be doing what I do and keeping communities going, but it can be hard. Seeing the public support out there makes a huge difference for us."

Elected Mayor of Watford Peter Taylor said: "Since the start of the pandemic, our partners at Veolia have done an outstanding job in maintaining household waste collections in Watford.

"We are all really grateful to them for all their hard work and effort. I’d like to encourage all residents to support #StreetSmiles to show our support and gratitude to the collection crews."

You can also tweet a picture and message to @VeoliaUK or to your council with #StreetSmiles.