A WEEK-long clean-up in two town centres has hit litterbugs with hundreds of pounds in fines.
Enforcement officers at Wear Valley District Council say they have noticed a big improvement in Bishop Auckland and Crook since they targeted the main shopping areas at the end of October.
Ten fixed penalty notices of £50 were issued for offences such as dog fouling and dropping litter, mostly discarded cigarette ends.
Derek Toon, Bishop Auckland's town centre manager, said: "I think the blitz has been very successful in raising awareness of the litter problem."
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