DARLINGTON’S council are urging residents to “join the war on litter” a week before patrols begin in the town centre.

From September, representatives from the Kingdom Services Group will issue on the spot £75 fines to anyone caught dropping litter or not picking up after their dog.

Ahead of the patrols, the council reiterated its ‘zero-tolerance’ warning, saying that the patrols form part of ongoing efforts to clean up the borough and maintain a clean and vibrant town centre.

A spokesman for the council said that the authority’s zero tolerance approach would be helped by the patrols and the installation of ten solar powered Bigbelly bins – which cost £60,000 including a five-year maintenance contract but which can hold up to eight times more rubbish than old bins.

He said: “This means they will not fill up or overflow as quickly, allowing Street Scene staff to concentrate on keeping the town centre clean and tidy.”

Cllr Nick Wallis outlined the council’s and voluntary efforts to keep the town clean but said it was not enough, adding: “The actions of a thoughtless minority who throw their rubbish onto our streets costs around £1.18m a year to clean up.

“We’re doing what we can but our streets need people to do their bit too – find a bin or take your rubbish home.”