TWO householders have been fined for keeping untidy yards.

One man from Horden, in County Durham, was fined £175 with another £155 in costs and victim surcharge, while another from Easington, also County Durham, was fined £350 with £155 costs and victim surcharge, as part of a council crackdown.

Both had been issued with litter clearing notices in January during a four-week campaign by Easington District Council to encourage residents to clean up their untidy yards.

However, when they failed to comply with the notice their cases were taken to court.

Responsibility for the clean-up has since passed to Durham County Council, since the abolition of the district council.

Street Scene manager Keith Parkinson said: "Unfortunately, we have had repeated problems with people dumping rubbish and unwanted items in back yards, however, we hope these prosecutions show that we are committed to tackling this major nuisance.

"Rubbish-strewn yards and gardens ruin the appearance of neighbourhoods and can have a significant impact on general quality of life."