A CRACKDOWN on rubbish being thrown from cars is to take place at six hotspots.

A three-week campaign targeting roadside litter will start on Monday (Oct 12) with education sessions in schools and patrols by neighbourhood wardens to deal with the problem.

Six areas have been identified for action under the Driving Out Litter in County Durham campaign.

They are the Dalton Park Shopping Centre, in Murton; Renny’s Lane Industrial Estate, in Gilesgate, Durham; Genesis Way, in Consett; North Burns, in Chester-le-Street; Thinford roundabout, near Spennymoor and Bishop Auckland Shopping Park.

Fixed penalty notices will be issued to anyone seen throwing rubbish out of their vehicles, while members of the public, businesses and other organisations will be encouraged to report anyone they spot in the act.

Education packs will be handed to newly-qualified drivers as well as colleges, MOT test centres and car dealerships, while all driving instructors in County Durham will be contacted to help spread the message.

Oliver Sherratt, head of direct services, Durham County Council, said: “Rubbish from vehicles left at the roadside is a huge problem and there is no excuse for it.

“Not only is it hazardous to pedestrians and other road users but it carries a serious risk to staff who have to remove it from the roadside as there are vehicles travelling past them at high speeds.

“As a council we are faced with having to spend significant sums of money and devote large amounts of our resources to tackling the issue”.

A month-long campaign in August 2013 saw more than 1,700 people spoken to about rubbish being thrown from vehicles and nearly 200 fixed penalty notices handed out.