HOUSEHOLDERS in Preston could face fines of £50 for putting their rubbish out on the wrong day.

The tough measures are being adopted by the city council in a bid to clean up the streets of Preston.

Council chiefs are targeting areas in Plungington, Fishwick and Deepdale where wheelie bins are often left out permanently by residents. They are hoping the strong stance will have a knock on effect across the city.

Households included in the catchment area will be leafleted, before action starts, and residents who fail to observe the rules will receive a formal notice. Continued failure to comply will result in a £50 fine.

In extreme cases residents could be prosecuted and fined up to £1,000.

Keith Haworth, waste management officer for Preston City Council, said "We get numerous complaints from all sections of the community about people leaving their wheelie bins out in the street all week and putting loose or bagged waste out.

"If a bin is set on fire, tipped over, a bag ripped open or loose waste dumped, the effect on that street is quite appalling and unnecessarily costs the council a great deal of money.

"This is not intended as an action against the community, rather it is an action on behalf of the community."

The new rules, which will come into force before the end of this month, are being introduced under section 46 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and will be carried out by the council's enforcement team on a random basis. Members of the public will also be encouraged to shop their neighbours if they breach the rules.

Under the new system residents will be expected to put rubbish bins out before 7am on the day of collection and after 6pm the night before, and must be brought in as soon as possible after the refuse collection.

A council spokesman said a common-sense approach to the rules will be adopted with only persistent and deliberate failures resulting in fines.

Susan White, of Eldon Street, Plungington, said: "It looks awful when bins are left out all the time, I think £50 is a bit steep but it's a problem that needs dealing with.

"A bin was set on fire near here not that long back, it scorched the side of the house, and burglars can use them to get into people's homes, so yes I think it's a good idea."

Donald Turner, of nearby Wildman Street, added: "I fully agree with fining people, it can be hard for disabled people to get down the street when it is full of bins."

The measures were also welcomed by Lancashire Fire and Rescue and Lancashire Constabulary. A spokesman said: "Fires in wheelie bins can lead to very serious buildings fire. It would be a pity if people got fined but if the deterrent works this would have a beneficial effect in reducing arson and fires."

"We welcome the idea of getting bins off the pavements as they can be used for committing crime," added Lancashire Constabulary spokesman.

South Ribble Borough Council said similar rules could not apply in the borough as the council's refuse collectors collect and return bins from the property of householders.