A LOOK along the pavements in the streets of most of our town centres reveals unsightly patches where chewing gum has been dropped and trodden into the ground.

The anti-social substance is also to be found stuck to the backs of seats in trains and buses, on public benches and in other places where people have simply spat it out without a thought for anyone else.

Some may think that Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans is going a bit far in calling for people who spit out chewing gum in the street to be hit with on-the-spot fines.

But changing deeply-entrenched habits calls for an armoury of measures that some might consider too drastic.

The outlawing of smoking in public places is an example of how public attitudes can be transformed in a few years.

In Clitheroe, schools have received letters from councillors asking them to educate youngsters to the problem and ensure children stop dropping chewing and bubble gum in playgrounds and on the street.

Although spitting out chewing gum is not covered specifically by law police say it could be enforced through legislation that makes dropping litter an offence.

Recently introduced community support officers have been created to deal with such matters. The extra weapon of on-the-spot fines might be just enough to make offenders think twice and put used wrapped pieces of used gum into rubbish bins.