CARDBOARD cutouts are to be introduced to crack down on litter.

Four of the 7ft-high placards will be placed around Darlington town centre to remind people that they could be fined for dropping litter.

The cutouts, featuring warden Antony Sharp, will also display messages encouraging the use of litter bins. If successful, the idea may be repeated for other campaigns, including warnings about crime.

The scheme, the first of its kind in the town, is modelled on a successful police concept in which cardboard images of officers are placed around shopping centres, displaying crime prevention notices.