EVERYDAY street cleaners may be given the power to fine litter louts £50 if a new get-tough policy does not work.

In a first for the North-East Redcar High Street will be designated a 'litter-free zone' on Thursday.

In the scheme community wardens will be directed to patrol the streets and use their existing powers to issue £50 on-the-spot fines to anyone seen dropping litter.

Members of the public and businesses will also be asked to sign a Keep Our Town Tidy pledge. The get-tough policy is expected be extended to Guisborough and Saltburn and businesses have been warned that fines of £2,500 could be imposed for not cleaning the areas around their premises properly.

If the new policy does not work Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council will consider giving street cleaners the right to fine members of the public who drop litter.

Part of a £300,000 kitty will be used to increase the council's High Street clean-up regime and businesses will also be used to compete for Tidy Business Awards.

Speaking at the launch of the new clean-up drive today Mike Hardman, the council's assistant director for neighbourhood services said: "We don't want to necessarily be draconian with businesses and the public. In fact we find that most businesses are happy to see the area be as tidy as possible.

"We are considering giving street cleaners new powers. If they cleaned up a street and someone dropped litter in front of them just as they had finished they would be able to issue a fine."

Marian Harrison, regional director of Encams, formerly the Tidy Britain Group, said: "We're sure that neighbouring authorities will also take a great interest in the scheme, which is a first for the North-East."

The public and businesses can find out more at an information session, or 'talkabout' on Redcar High Street at 2pm Thursday