STRINGENT measures have been introduced by a council to crack down on dog fouling and litter dropping.

Chester-le-Street District Council will be introducing fixed penalty fines of £50 next year for litterbugs and dog walkers who fail to clear up after their animals.

If the fines are not paid within 14 days, the offenders will be taken to court.

Leader of the council Malcolm Pratt said: "The message is simple, you either pick up or pay up.

"Apart from spoiling the environment, dog muck and other rubbish also poses a health risk to all within the district."

Since December 1998, 29 people have been prosecuted with fines ranging from £25 to £100 for the offences.

The council is currently training 12 additional staff to issue fixed penalty tickets, which come into force on January 1 2003.

The council is also urging people to report incidents to its environmental enforcement officer, who may prosecute on behalf of the council.

Witnesses should take down details such as the time, date, location, names and vehicle registrations.

The council's enforcement officer John Taylor can be contacted on (0191) 371 1040.