A COUNCIL is planning to enlist the help of businesses in an anti-litter campaign to tidy up a town centre.

Businesses in Darlington town centre are being encouraged to support the battle against litter by the borough council.

Officers have drawn up an action plan, which includes an enforcement campaign which will target high profile areas, resulting in fixed penalty litter notices to offenders.

They also plan to launch an education campaign and Tidy Trader code for businesses, as well as re-examining cleaning regimes and changing them if necessary.

Under the Tidy Trader code, businesses will be asked to operate a waste disposal plan, provide adequate facilities for storing refuse and enter into a trade refuse agreement with the council for the disposal of rubbish.

They will also be expected to provide bins inside and outside their premises for litter from customers, display posters encouraging tidiness, recycle waste and keep areas around their premises clean.

A spokeswoman for the council said: "We want to keep on top of what could potentially be a hazardous and unattractive problem, to maintain the town centre and make it an attractive place people will want to come to, to do their shopping."