AN UNDERCOVER litter hit-squad handed out £50 fines to 12 people in Darlington town centre at the weekend.

The fines were part of a clean-up campaign launched by the borough council last November.

Since then, the council's team of uniformed wardens have patrolled the streets in a series of enforcement days, issuing warnings and fines to anyone caught dropping litter.

But on Saturday the campaign changed tactics and the wardens patrolled in plain clothes, catching the litter-droppers unawares.

The offenders were each handed £50 on-the-spot fines.

Wardens also issued six official warnings to youngsters and gave several verbal warnings to others dropping rubbish.

Businesses around the town centre were also offered advice to help to prevent littering and wardens checked shop fronts and town centre alleys.

Other businesses were issued verbal warnings for failing to clean up outside their premises.

Council leader John Williams said: "It may seem harsh to resort to fines but if, after warning people time and time again, they are still prepared to drop litter on our streets, we will punish them.

"Darlington people are telling us they want their streets clear of litter and we are determined to do that for them."

Since the litter campaign was launched, 16 people have been fined and more than 50 people have been cautioned.

The council's clean-up squad has also responded to numerous calls from around the borough to tidy up unsightly litter spots.

Thousands of pounds are also being spent researching the best way to remove chewing gum from Darlington's pavements.

The decision to clear the gum away was made after members of the public approached the uniformed wardens and complained about the mess.

Once a company has been appointed the town centre will be cleaned before other problem areas are tackled.

Despite public support for the clean-up campaign, businesses in the town have been criticised for failing to respond to the council's plea to keep the town tidy.