A COUNCIL has launched a crackdown on illegal advertising.

The blitz forms part of Stockton Borough Council's Care For Your Area Campaign, to maintain a cleaner borough.

It is now running, following a covert surveillance operation, including the use of CCTV cameras, at the weekend.

The operation, which involved Cleveland Police, led to a man being spotted illegally putting up posters advertising events.

Barry Woodhouse, the council's cabinet member for environment said: "The council simply will not tolerate this kind of littering of the borough.

"The campaign is not just about street cleansing and grounds maintenance.

"It is also about putting a stop to people using the borough as a free advertising site.

"These posters are unsightly and unwelcome and we intend to make sure that anyone caught dotting them around the borough pays a heavy price," he said.