BUSINESSES in Darlington have been criticised for failing to respond to the council's plea to help keep the town tidy.

Darlington Borough Council launched its clean-up campaign, supported by The Northern Echo, at the end of last year.

A series of enforcement days were held with uniformed wardens patrolling areas looking for anyone dropping litter. During these days four people were given £50 on-the-spot fines and dozens were issued with official cautions.

The campaign also aims to target litter blackspots. The public have been encouraged to call the council if they see an area that needs clearing, the idea being that once the areas are cleared, they will be monitored and kept clean in the future.

Despite public support for the campaign, businesses in the town have not taken the litter message on board.

The council sent more than 600 letters to businesses in the town in early December asking them to pledge their support to the campaign by trying to keep the area outside their premises clean and tidy and supporting initiatives such as bin sponsorship.

To the council's surprise only four companies have agreed actively to support the campaign.

The letter sent to the companies asked them to agree to a voluntary code of practice but businesses have also be warned they could be fined if they fail to keep the town tidy.

Businesses are required by law to provide and empty litter bins and clean streets within 100 metres of their premises. Traders can face fines of up to £2,500 for failing to comply.

Terry Collins, the council's assistant director of environmental services, said: "The response we have had so far from local businesses is disappointing.

"The council is playing its part and the response we have had from the public has been superb.

"Many people are contacting us with details of litter blackspots and we are getting out there and cleaning up.

"Uniformed wardens are out every day and anyone caught littering will be fined, but businesses must also realise that they are responsible too.

" Much of the litter we clear from the streets has been on business premises only minutes before. We want them to help us stop it getting there in the first place."