A CLAMPDOWN on litter in Darlington has led to more than 30 people being taken to court in the past month.

The cases were brought against residents who had failed to pay fixed penalty fines issued for littering open spaces around the borough.

Darlington Borough Council's uniformed wardens are authorised to issue £50 notices for a range of litter offences, including dropping chewing gum and cigarette ends and leaving rubbish in back lanes.

Between April and July this year, more than 290 fixed penalty notices for littering were issued. If the fines are not paid within 14 days they can lead to court action.

In July, 33 people were taken to magistrates court for failing to pay their fines - one person faced two charges of failing to pay littering fines.

They were all ordered to pay and in most cases court costs of £50 were also imposed.

Stephen Harker, the council's cabinet member for consumer and environmental services, said: "We all have a part to play in keeping our streets clean and litter-free.

"There is no excuse for littering and people who persist in dropping litter or creating a mess in back lanes will be stopped and fined.

"These latest figures show the courts are extremely supportive of the council's stance in upholding fines and invariable adding additional costs."

As well as being fined, all offenders are named and shamed in the council's Town Crier magazine, which is delivered to every home and business in the borough.