PEOPLE could be taken to court by a local authority if they refuse to pay fines for dropping litter.
Sedgefield Borough Council is trying to tackle the growing problem of litter being discarded in its area.
A recent scheme has centred around Sunnydale Comprehensive School, Shildon, and Woodham Comprehensive School, Newton Aycliffe.
Environmental officer have been patrolling routes to school, especially at lunchtimes, and issuing £25 penalties to anyone caught littering. There is also a reward scheme where people seen disposing of rubbish properly are given McDonalds or Greggs vouchers.
Eric Beevers, the council's environmental health manager, said court action could be taken against offenders.
He said: "If anybody is found littering they will get a fixed penalty, whether they are a child or an adult.
"They have the option of paying the fixed penalty, or they may go to court, and if found guilty there is a maximum fine of £1,000.
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