LITTERBUGS should be named and shamed in an attempt to crackdown on rubbish on the streets, according to the council leader.

John Williams told a meeting of the borough council cabinet that people who drop litter should be fined and made an example of.

His comments came as the cabinet approved a litter strategy looking at possible ways to tackle the problem.

Councillor Williams said: "It is time to look at naming and shaming the culprits.

"So many people spend a lot of time and effort trying to keep the streets clean that irresponsible people who have no thought for others should be seen to be fined."

The council spends more than £850,000 annually on litter collection and as well as making the streets cleaner, the council hopes to reduce this expenditure.

Cliff Brown, director of community services at the council, said: "There should be a more proactive approach regarding litter enforcement.

"It would be possible to hold litter enforcement days and to target high profile areas.

"Back lanes could be targeted as part of this initiative as frequent complaints are received from residents regarding fly tipping.

"The culture needs to change with an increased emphasis on on the spot enforcement and more proactive approach to businesses."

Businesses that continually create a lot of litter could be served a street litter control notice, which would legally prevent them from littering the street 100metres each side of their premises.

There are plans to create a teaching pack for schools to allow issues relating to litter to be linked into the national curriculum.