OWNERS of hot food take-away shops considering applying for a new late licence are being told they must show how they will deal with the problem of litter.

Under the Licensing Act 2003, all businesses who need a licence to open after 11pm must apply for a new one before the Act comes into force on November 7.

Darlington Borough Council stressed that traders must include, as part of their application, an explanation of how they will tackle litter.

They must show how they will encourage their customers to dispose of litter and how they will keep the area around their businesses clean.

They must also prove they will reduce packaging and increase recycling.

Darlington Borough Council's Tidy Trader scheme, which encourages businesses to keep their premises litter-free by providing waste bins, complies with national rules.

Bill Dixon, the council's cabinet member for community and public protection, said: "Those who apply for the new licence will have to show that they are taking steps to deal with the problem."