LITTER louts in Blandford could soon face on-the-spot fines.

Campaigners are urging the police and council chiefs to enforce the penalties on people spotted dropping rubbish in the streets.

The move follows a large increase in littering in certain parts of the town, particularly the Marsh and Ham car park and behind the skate park at Stour Meadows.

Chairman of the Clean Up Blandford Campaign Allen Saunders said there were also problems by the river at the rear of Somerfield and the old railway track. "The littering problem is becoming untenable in certain parts of the town," he said.

Three new steering groups had been set up to tackle the problem. One would be lobbying Blandford Town Council, the district council and the police to introduce on-the-spot litter fines for people blatantly littering the area and another would be carrying out a survey of bins to assess if they were in the best place for people's needs.

A third group was looking at raising £2,000 from the local community to carry out a major spring clean of the town centre pavements using a specialist cleaning contractor.

Mr Saunders said these groups would be in addition to the active schools group which would continue to educate children on caring for the environment.

Inspector Tim Lumley, of Blandford Police, said: "Littering is still an offence and people can be issued with fixed penalty notices or taken to court if necessary."

Campaigners held an environmental awareness day on Saturday starting at Blandford Parish Church.

Among those rolling up their sleeves to pick up litter were town mayor Cllr Esme Butler, chairman of North Dorset District Council Cllr Mike Oliver, town councillors, the police and local scouts.

First published: August 26