THE writing could soon be on the wall for graffiti in Leigh with a new initiative to clean up defaced streets.

Councillors have voted to bring in a new graffiti-busting unit armed with a high pressure machine to wipe away unsightly scribbles and drawings.

Almost two-thirds of Leigh, Atherton and Tyldesley are affected by the problem.

But Leigh Central Ward councillor Brian Thomas said he did not see graffiti as a big menace and added he did not think the anti-graffiti unit would stop the problem.

He said: "I can't see it being worth £500 to shift it off a wall that it'll be on the day after. I would like to see it as a trial period and I would have to monitor it and see if it's effective.

"We had a special machine for removing chewing gum in Leigh town centre but when you walk around you still see it everywhere on the floor."

He added: "It's more of a nuisance than a big problem."

The cost of cleaning up graffiti will be £33,200 a year.

Councillors across Wigan borough will be able to hire the anti-graffiti unit at a cost of £500 a week, paid for by dipping into the £10,000 a year funds available in each ward under the Brighter Borough initiative.

The Enviro-blast system uses a mixture of grit and water to blast graffiti off wood, metal or brick without damaging the surface.

Councillors have already seen it in action after it cleared a heavily covered wall in Wigan town centre.

A survey by the Tidy Britain Group found 65 percent of the areas in Wigan borough visited by the group were affected by graffiti.

Director of engineering services Peter Taylor said: "Due to a high incidence of graffiti and its offensive nature, we are proposing to set up this dedicated unit. We anticipate that it will dramatically reduce the amount of graffiti in the borough."

Councillors agreed to support the scheme for 12 months with a report due in six months time to see how it was working.

It will go for final approval to the strategy subcommittee before the anti-graffiti unit hits the streets.