Sheppey gran Tammy Hogg is making a clean sweep of Sheerness.

The mum of four and grandmother of six is now a familiar sight in her yellow leggings, florescent fleece and woolly bobble hat as she picks litter off the streets with her broom and Biffa dust cart.

But few know she was once an assistant manageress at a travel agents and a former sales coordinator at Thamesteel.

She said: “It might sound sad but I really enjoy my new job. It’s nice to keep the town where I live clean. It can be very rewarding.

"I get a real buzz when people come up and compliment me. Sheppey is a holiday Island and needs to look clean and tidy for residents and visitors.”

She was made redundant when Thames Steel went bust but rather than spend her days at home she took a summer job sweeping Leysdown seafront.

She said: “I really enjoyed it and when the season ended I was offered a full-time job looking after the eastern end of the Island. I also spent nine months on the back of a dustcart. That was non-stop and really hard work. But I survived.”

She admitted: “I think it was bit of a shock to my children when they discovered their mum was cleaning the streets. But I’d like to think they are proud of me. I’d rather be outside making a difference than being at home doing nothing.

“I’ve been out in all weathers. It can be very demanding, especially in the cold and wind. I’m now looking forward to the summer.”

She took over Sheerness in October. Last week the Sheerness Town Team singled her out for praise. Retired businessman Brian Spoor said: “She’s doing a great job. The town has never been cleaner.”

So what is Tammy like at home? She confessed: “I’m very house-proud. It drives my husband mad!”

Tammy’s Day

A typical 10am to 6pm day begins near the Napier pub and takes in The Broadway, the High Street between both ends of the canal and the Millennium Way.

Tammy also tidies up town centre alleys and the pedestrianised Crescent around the clock tower.

She said: “I pay special attention around the clock with my ‘flicker’ broom because I can’t abide cigarette butts on the ground. It annoys me when people drop litter but I suppose if they didn’t I’d be out of a job!”

She also carries a hoe to remove stubborn moss from pavements and gutters.