Villagers have been warned not to hold an annual litter ­collection – in case they are contaminated with Novichok.

Villages close to Salisbury are in a “don’t pick it up” rubbish zone following the attack by a Russian hit squad on Sergei Skripal, 67, and daughter Yulia, 33, last March.

It means locals in many parts of South Wiltshire cannot carry out the annual spring clean ahead of their Best Kept Village competitions. 

Sergei and Yulia were poisoned after a Russian hit-squad smeared Novichok on the door handle of his home.
Picking up litter in villages near Salisbury is not allowed (
Image:
Getty)

Dawn Sturgess, 44, later died after spraying herself with the nerve agent which was inside a perfume bottle.

Her partner Charlie Rowley, 45, had found the container dumped in the street and gave it to her as a present.

Video Loading
Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia both survived the assassination attempt

Authorities later admitted they have no idea if more of the deadly nerve agent is in the Salisbury area.

Local councillor Richard Britton was told about the litter picking ban last week while organising events in villages.

Wiltshire Council warned him to cancel the clean-ups “on the advice of Public Health England”.
Dawn Sturgess died after using a perfume bottle contaminated with Novichok (
Image:
AFP/Getty Images)

Mr Brittan said: “The communities are frustrated by it. It is all good fun.

“The most important consideration for me was these events in villages do tend to be community events.

“My suggestion is if they wanted to do it it is up to them. It seems to me the risk is so small and I think everybody acknowledges that.”
Salisbury may be famously peaceful but last year transformed its reputation completely (
Image:
PA)

Wiltshire Council said: “The Public Health England guidance is if you don’t drop it don’t pick it up.

“That still stands in Salisbury, Amesbury and the surrounding areas.

“Wiltshire Council is providing additional litter picks in the south of the county until such times as the guidance is reviewed.”
Emergency services personnel wearing green biohazard encapsulated suits in Salisbury in March 2018 (
Image:
AFP/Getty Images)

Meanwhile a police officer poisoned by the Novichok has received more than £8,000 in donations to support his charity marathon run.

Det Sgt Nick Bailey, 39, was exposed to the nerve agent after attending Skripal’s home as part of the investigation.

He spent three weeks in Salisbury District Hospital before being discharged.
A CCTV image showing the two Soviet agents suspected of planting Novichok (
Image:
AFP/Getty Images)

DS Bailey is running the Salisbury Marathon in August to raise money for the ward where he was treated.

He announced on Twitter that he had received over £8,000 in donations ahead of the marathon.

The detective said: “So many kind, supportive and generous people and businesses out there.”