A COUNCIL that has vowed to clean up its streets has stepped up the campaign by issuing fixed penalty notices to offenders.

Wear Valley District Council had its first successful prosecution last week, when a woman from Coundon was fined £75 with costs for failing to clean up after her dog.

A spokesman for the council said: "We have a number of fixed penalty notices for both dog fouling and litter outstanding and being prepared for court, and a number of fixed penalty notices that have been paid.

"This successful prosecution continues to highlight our determination to crack down on indiscriminate dog fouling and littering."

Fixed penalty notices can be issued by authorised officers of Wear Valley District Council. The offender is then given 14 days to pay a £50 fee for dog fouling and/or littering under the Environmental Protection Act.