A 55-year-old crisp packet was amongst piles of rubbish found on a Suffolk litter pick, which will now be added to the UK's first Vintage Litter Museum.

The 55-year-old packet of Golden Wonder crisps was found by volunteer Meryl Smith, who was litter picking round the base of a Kesgrave tree.

East Anglian Daily Times: The 55-year-old packet of Golden Wonder crisps was found by volunteer Meryl Smith, who was litter picking round the base of a Kesgrave tree.The 55-year-old packet of Golden Wonder crisps was found by volunteer Meryl Smith, who was litter picking round the base of a Kesgrave tree. (Image: Jason Alexander)

Leading the litter pick, Ipswich man Jason Alexander said he had walked past the site many times, but had never spotted the crisp packet on previous visits.

"It just shows that this stuff takes a couple of minutes to eat and you think nothing of it, but the rubbish can hang around for years," he said.

The Golden Wonder packet is dated to 1968, as there is a competition closing date printed onto the back.

East Anglian Daily Times: The Golden Wonder packet is dated to 1968, as there is a competition closing date printed onto the back.The Golden Wonder packet is dated to 1968, as there is a competition closing date printed onto the back. (Image: Jason Alexander)

Mr Alexander is the founder of Rubbish Walks, a social enterprise in which volunteers spend hours each week keeping Suffolk's beaches, rivers and streets clean.

Previously, he has completed immense challenges such as clearing away one million cigarette butts and taking on a 24-hour litter pick following his wife's diagnosis with cancer.

East Anglian Daily Times: Jason Alexander is the founder of social enterprise Rubbish Walks.Jason Alexander is the founder of social enterprise Rubbish Walks. (Image: Sarah Lucy Brown, Newsquest)

This latest crisp packet discovery will be added to Mr Alexander's Vintage Litter Museum, which is the first of its kind to be established in the UK.

Though the 55-year-old pack of Golden Wonder is the oldest thing discovered on this year's Great British Spring Clean, it is not the oldest item to join the museum's catalogue.

East Anglian Daily Times: Jason Alexander's puppy Margo joins them on the litter picks and has even found an old packet of Golden Wonder herself.Jason Alexander's puppy Margo joins them on the litter picks and has even found an old packet of Golden Wonder herself. (Image: Jason Alexander)

"I once found a plastic bottle on Bawdsey Beach from Revlon's Aquamarine range, which dates back to 1954," said Mr Alexander.

"And even older that, I found a glass test tube suture kit fully intact in Landseer Park.

"Exactly the same one is displayed in a Scottish museum and dates back to the 1920s."

Mr Alexander hopes that by showcasing this rubbish in his museum, people will take stock and think more carefully before littering.