RESIDENTS are being asked to shop litterbugs and fly-tippers who dump rubbish around Darlington.

A special phone-line has been set up at Darlington Borough Council for people to report the names of fly-tippers and areas of the town that are plagued by litter.

The phone number was announced on Monday at the official launch of Darlington's anti-litter campaign with the slogan Litter - it's in your hands. Don't drop it.

If an area is reported as being a litter hot-spot, a council team will be sent to clear it up.

Patrols will then take place around the area to make sure it stays clean and anyone found fly-tipping will be fined.

Terry Collins, director of environmental services at the council, said: "We want people to let us know where the hot spots are in town - places where there is a lot of rubbish dumped so we can send our team in to clean them up.

"We also want to know who is dumping these large amounts of rubbish. People should phone us and tell us who is doing it."

As part of the campaign anyone seen dropping litter will be given an on-the-spot fine of £50.

People who throw litter from cars will also be traced and fined.

Shops and businesses are being asked to do their bit by providing litter bins outside their premises.

Any business that does not make efforts to clean up near to its premises could also face a fine.

Four litter enforcement days will be held before Christmas when uniformed wardens will be working with the police to hand out fines to people who drop litter.

They will be patrolling the town centre and outlining areas like Firthmoor and Cockerton.

Hotspots like schools and parks will also be targeted.

John Williams, leader of the council, said: "We are asking people to be more responsible and not to drop litter.

"We want to challenge some people's views that it is OK to drop litter because the council will pick it up."

The number to call if you see anyone fly-tipping or dropping litter is (01325) 388777.