OFFICIALS in a city once voted the cleanest in the country are now handing out on- the-spot fines to litter louts.

Members of Harrogate Borough Council's street cleaning team were out and about in Ripon yesterday using their new powers.

Under the Environmental Protection Act, anyone seen dropping litter can be fined, with the fixed penalty fee rising from £25 to £50.

Ripon is the first area in the Harrogate district to use the powers, and yesterday's operation, timed to coincide with market day, also involved high visibility support from the city's police community support officers.

Councillor Julian Sturdy, cabinet member for public works, said: "We want to work with our colleagues at Ripon City Council and in partnership with the police to raise awareness amongst the community of the value of keeping our towns free of litter.

"The Act says we can create zones of up to 100 metres around premises such as food takeaways, nightclubs, cinemas and banks, and we have had some success with a positive response from those premises whose operators are taking responsibility for clearing up after their customers.

"Generally, the standard of our street cleanliness is high, but there is no doubt we have seen an increase in litter in recent months.

"We really want to keep our streets clean by making sure the litter isn't dropped in the first place. There really is no excuse.

"We have 900 litterbins around the district, placed in sensible hotspot areas such as beside public seats, bus shelters and outside takeaway outlets. People don't have to travel far to find a bin."

The council has a three-pronged approach to tackling litter problems. It begins with sweeping and litter removal by staff, moves on to raising awareness of the value of a clean environment and finishes with enforcement action being taken against individuals or businesses breaking the country's litter laws.

Coun Sturdy said: "The council spends over £650,000 a year keeping our streets clean.

"This is a huge amount from local council tax and I can assure people that the council is prepared to take enforcement action against the minority who spoil the environment for everyone else."