Litter-free zones are being created around fast food outlets, nightclubs, entertainment venues and banks in the Harrogate district.

Under new legislation, the borough council is also making some owners or operators of premises responsible for clearing up litter left by their customers.

Defying the law could cost the culprits a fine of up to £2,500.

The no litter zones can be created up to 100 metres around targeted premises.

The council's highway staff have been monitoring premises in Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon.

Cabinet member for public works Councillor Julian Sturdy said: "While preliminary contact with owners and operators has led to greater assistance from some of them in clearing up, we believe more could be done."

The council is taking action under the Environmental Protection Act, but Coun Sturdy said: "We believe we are one of only a few councils to take action under the Act."

Council highway staff have been given the go ahead to serve litter notices under the Act.

They will demand provision of litter bins on the premises and clearance from the street at regular intervals and at the close of trading.

Coun Sturdy said the council had already responded by providing more bins and in certain areas had installed bigger bins to take packaging from fast food meals.

"By successfully applying the legislation, we hope to alleviate persistent littering problems which impose a significant strain on street cleaning resources," he said.

He added that the current cost of keeping the district's streets clean was running at £650,000 a year.