A COUNCIL is to take action to stop motorists throwing their rubbish into the streets.

"We're getting sick and tired of irresponsible behaviour by some motorists who seem to think the borough is nothing more than a huge litter bin," said Redcar and Cleveland borough councillor Barbara Harpham.

Her views are shared by her colleagues and action is being planned to stop litter dropping on Langbaurgh's roads.

Motorits will face a £50 fine if they throw a piece of litter from their car windows.

There are also going to be a series of enforcement offensives, with Cleveland Police targeting four main routes through east Cleveland - the A174, the A1985 trunk road, and the B1267 at Guisborough.

Any motorist, or their passengers, seen throwing litter out of the car will be stopped by a police patrol and the council's wardens will issue the fixed penalty fine.

Coun Harpham, the borough council's cabinet member for environmental improvement, said: "We've never done this before, but it's time we did.

"There are a series of initiatives being carried out across the borough, all designed to make a difference.

"We are proud of the efforts carried out by our own workforce, but they're being undermined by environment vandals.

"And I can assure everyone that this exercise will be repeated on a regular basis."

Superintendent Dee Collins, operations manager for the police district, said: "Litter is an anti-social offence which not only causes environmental concerns but also affects local communities. We are supporting this initiative and wish to encourage motorists to dispose of litter considerately and safely."

The first crackdown will run from noon to midnight on Thursday.

The surveillance will be carried out by the council's team of community safety wardens, supported by mobile cameras which will provide the necessary evidence.

The drive has been timed to coincide with the National Car Litter Campaign, organised by Keep Britain Tidy.

Regional director Marian Harrison said: "Obviously we are delighted with the council's innovative approach to tackling the problem of litter louts.

"Over one million bits of rubbish are thrown on Britain's roads every weekend. These litter louts need to realise they are a national disgrace."

Meanwhile, from today street wardens will issue tickets for free sporting sessions to children they see using litter bins.

The scheme is being introduced across most of the area covered by borough council.

Director of environmental services Mike Hardman said: "Many children are very tidy minded, but if we can encourage even more to pick up good habits, then the borough will be the better for it."

The scheme, which will operate for the rest of the school holidays, is being run in partnership with Tees Valley Leisure.