A CAMPAIGN to clean up the streets of Darlington has been given a further boost by the appointment of new specialists.

The two-man Street Care team, working with a specially equipped vehicle, is the latest addition to the borough council's environmental drive.

Funding for the team has come from the council's Citizens' Priorities scheme, an £830,000 budget allocated for projects which residents believe are of great importance.

The team will be targeting areas in and around Darlington, carrying out minor work where necessary such as fence repairs, road sign cleaning and graffiti removal.

They will also assist the environmental response team in helping to clear away the results of fly-tipping around the town and tackling litter hot-spots.

The first task of the team will be to install 40 new litter bins around town centre and other key areas. The team supervisor will also have enforcement powers enabling him to issue a £50 fine to anyone caught dropping litter.

Council managers set up a litter hotline last year, allowing residents to call in and inform officers about badly affected areas. The Street Care team will also respond to these calls.

Coun Chris McEwan, the council's cabinet member for community protection, said: "The new team will help to expand the whole idea of tackling litter and ensuring the streets of Darlington remain clean and attractive.

"Their ability to carry out minor repairs immediately is a huge step forward in the service we provide and one that is, I believe, unique to the town.

"This will undoubtedly help us to provide an all-inclusive response to the issue of littering in the borough."

The Street Care team can be contacted through the litter hotline on (01325) 388777.