HOUSEHOLD waste rules could land residents with a fine by introducing a legal responsibility for a clean neighbourhood.

Council officials in Hartlepool are keen to highlight a "duty of care" that was introduced last month.

Residents are now being warned that they have a legal responsibility to ensure their household waste is disposed of properly.

This means that when paying to have waste taken away, residents must ensure it is going to be disposed of legally with a license.

They are being warned that failure to do so could result in prosecution and a heavy fine or - in extreme cases - a prison sentence.

It is hoped the "duty of care" will boost efforts to clamp down on fly-tipping.

Ian Burton, Hartlepool Borough Council's environmental enforcement manager, said: "Residents must take steps to satisfy themselves that anyone coming to the door and offering to remove waste is properly licensed and operating within the law.

"For example, they should ask to see a Waste Carrier's Licence as all people transporting waste should have such a licence from the Environment Agency. Residents should refuse to be fobbed-off by promises of a licence being produced at a later date.

"They should also take the names and addresses of people offering to take away their rubbish, and the registration details of vehicles involved."

Residents can request an instant waste carrier validation check on a doorstep caller by calling (08708) 506506 or by checking online at www.environment-agency.gov.uk/pub licregister