LEGAL action is being threatened to ensure a town centre remains clean and tidy.

Hartlepool Borough Council officials have warned of their determination following a court case against a woman, under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

Amanda Bates, of the town's Cameron Road, was fined £75 with £25 costs after the case was found proved in her absence by magistrates.

Legal proceedings were launched after a council inspector found ten black sacks of household waste and other rubbish at the rear of her property.

Bates, who denied the rubbish belonged to her, had previously been served with a legal notice warning that her household waste must be placed in a wheeled bin.

Neighbourhood Action manager Craig Thelwell said: "The council is determined to keep the town as clean and tidy as possible, but to achieve that we require the support of residents.

"The vast majority of townspeople dispose of their waste in the proper manner, but we will act if we feel that someone is falling short of what is required of them."