MORE than 150 warning notices were handed out in the first three months of the year in the fight to keep neighbourhoods tidy in Nelson.

Statistics released as part of the Nelson Committee's environmental crime update revealed the owners of properties who had been told they must clear up their land.

In total 153 residents received notices under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to help combat problems such as fly-tipping.

Member of the Nelson area committee Cllr Mohammed Iqbal said: "In terms of our approach to fly-tipping it shows that we have a zero-tolerance attitude.

"Residents can rest assured that we will be doing anything we can to clamp down on people responsible for such behaviour.

"We won't be taking a softly, softly approach with them. If someone isn't clearing rubbish we will take action."

The section 215 notices were given out to owners of properties where waste affected the 'amenity of the neighbourhood'.

Streets that featured prominently on the list include Railway Street, Larch Street and Pine Street.

The findings were released as part of the environmental service manager's crime update from January 1 until March 31.

Cllr Iqbal said the high number of notices handed out shows the council's tough stance on such offences.

He said: "If any rubbish is left for a few days then we will issue a notice and if they don't respond to that we will take legal action.

"It's not on, especially with all the cuts that we've had to face, people need to face action for these offences.

"It's good news for people that tough action is being taken, it should help bring better neighbourhoods and better quality of life for everyone."

The first three months of the year has also seen 136 cases dealt with who had previously received section 215 notices for the state of the land.

A total of 10 notices were also issued to land owners who had allowed food waste to build up under section 79 of the Public Health Act.

Fixed penalty notices were given to 36 residents for offences such as littering, failure to remove dog fouling, graffiti and fly tipping.

The council has also issued 29 community protection notices to target those responsible for ongoing problems.

This involved nine cases resolved before warnings, five resolved after warnings and 15 incidents where statutory warning letters were issued.

Cases include fly-tipping, failing to control dogs and damaged vehicles being left on streets.