A CREATIVE family have used suspended collections to their advantage by building a recycling robot urging people to stay at home.

Theresa Carter and nine-year-old daughter Emma built the ten-foot tall bot who is now proudly standing outside their house in Booth Avenue, Colchester.

They have also created a canine companion to accompany him out of materials they had left at their home after Colchester Council was forced to suspend recycling collections last week.

It has now been lit up to urge people to follow the Government mantra to stay indoors.

Mrs Carter said: "It started off as a bit of a joke with the neighbours but then we thought we should try and build something out of what we had in our alley," she said.

"We have done a little bit each day.

"I have been working but it was something to try and keep the children entertained.

"I saw the campaign about lighting things up blue for the NHS and my husband, Ray, remembered we had some blue Christmas lights in the loft.

"He came up with the idea of writing the slogan and that was actually quite easy, we just pierced holes with a pencil."

Chelmsford Weekly News:

Mrs Carter works as a one-to-one carer for a youngster with a myriad of health conditions.

Fortunately, he is at home at the minute but spends a lot of time at Colchester Hospital, meaning Mrs Carter has a huge affinity with the NHS.

"She probably spends 200 nights per year on the children's ward," she said.

"We always try and do things there and have organised a bake-off event in the past."

Now the robot - who Ray wants to nickname Boris - has been placed outside and is making people smile.

"It has become a bit of a game in our house to see how many people do a little double take and have a laugh as they walks past," Mrs Carter said.

"There is a good community spirit here and everyone make a lot of effort with their lights at Christmas time.

"It is a good project to have while Emma is off school.

"We are always doing arts and crafts so it is an extension of that.

"Her school - Cherry Tree - have been brilliant in sending things home so she can do some time on the computer and then something creative afterwards."