FLY-TIPPERS who have been littering the alleyways and back lanes around Darlington have been targeted by uniformed wardens trying to clean up the town.

In the past two months, Darlington Borough Council's wardens have issued £50 fines to 125 people caught dumping rubbish around the town.

The fines are part of the on-going council crackdown on litter in Darlington and its surrounding villages.

The campaign is targeting people who drop litter in the street as well as fly-tippers who get rid of large amounts of rubbish from their homes by leaving it in back streets.

Launched last year, the on-going campaign is also asking businesses to sign up to a charter pledging to keep their premises clean and to provide bins for shoppers.

Paul Baldwin, the council's cabinet member for community protection, said: "The vast majority of people across the town have taken notice of the council's anti-litter campaign and are playing their part in reducing littering in Darlington.

"A small number of residents, however, still seem to think it is okay to throw their litter out on to the streets of our town and this is simply not acceptable."

People who have failed to pay on-the-spot fines for dropping litter have been issued with a summons.

As part of the campaign, 30 people are facing court action for not paying their littering fines within the 14-day deadline.