COUNCIL staff are to monitor areas around takeaways in Burnley and issue £75 fines to any customers who are caught dropping litter.

The move is part of a crackdown by the borough council on the problem of litter associated with the town's takeaways.

New posters bearing the slogans "fast food...fast fine!" or encouraging people to use "fast thinking" and put rubbish in the bin have been put up around takeaways, pubs, shops and community centres in Burnley.

The streets will be patrolled by the council's Streetscene team who will be ready to pounce if they spot anyone dropping litter.

The wardens will either talk to the culprits about the error of their ways or hand them the £75 on-the-spot fine.

If the fine is not paid, the litterbug risks being prosecuted and finding themselves with a criminal record.

Coun Charles Bullas, the council's executive member for the environment, said: "Fast food litter is one of the most frequent and annoying types of rubbish seen on our streets.

"Quite apart from its unsightly nature it also can provide a considerable health hazard, attracting rats and other vermin. Because of this we are particularly determined to tackle those who are responsible for dropping this type of rubbish - and we will be hitting them where it hurts the most, in their pockets.

"It is a zero tolerance approach because I am sure the vast majority of people in Burnley want to see this type of littering dealt with in the strongest possible terms.

"Likewise with this initiative we want to applaud those who use common sense and put their litter in the bin."