A LOCAL authority is considering imposing on-the-spot fines to beat a litter problem.

Harrogate Borough Council is about to decide whether to give officials the right to serve notices on the owners of commercial properties who do not tackle the problem.

And those owners could end up being hit in the pocket, with a £50 fixed penalty fine.

The move follows a number of reports and letters concerning the extent of the litter problem in the town.

The council has pointed out that shopkeepers have a duty of care under the Environmental Protection Act to control their litter until it is passed on to a designated carrier.

Cabinet member for public works, Michael Newby, said: "We believe that same legislation can be interpreted in such a way that will allow us to issue fines if they are in breach of that duty.

"While most complaints we receive are about takeaway food outlets, we also get complaints about littered areas, such as banking ATMs.

"If we have a persistent problem, which a property owner does nothing to rectify, we do clear the area and re-charge them - however this initiative goes a step further.

"We can require owners to litter-pick up to 100 metres along their property frontages. If they fail to do this then we will be prepared to serve notices which will result in a £50 fixed charge."