HOUSEHOLDERS in Clitheroe who repeatedly dump their rubbish in back streets are to be fined £50 by the borough council.

Ribble Valley Council has started issuing the fines to residents in several Clitheroe streets who repeatedly put their bins out too early.

The scheme was devised by the council's street cleansing and environmental health departments, after a string of complaints about unsightly back streets littered with refuse sacks and overflowing bins.

Dogs and cats have been scavenging in the refuse and environmental officers believe the bins are becoming a health hazard.

Ribble Valley Council cleansing manager Brian Knight said: "We issued a leaflet asking householders to put rubbish out on the day of collection, or the night before at the earliest.

"We've also asked them to put their rubbish out in bins and leave rubbish bags in their back yard, where we can get to them.

"People have been putting out their rubbish as soon as their bin bags were full and our lads have to clean it all up. We're not here to clean the back streets of Clitheroe and we hope this scheme will sort the problem out.

"We have already issued a few fines and it's amazing how quickly people have cottoned on. The back streets of Clitheroe are now looking much cleaner."

Environmental health manager James Russell added: "I've heard of local authorities occasionally fining people for litter offences, but I'm not aware of a town-wide scheme like this.

"We've checked the law and we're perfectly entitled to fine people in this way."

Council leader Chris Holtom said the scheme had not come out of the blue and certain householders had been warned several times about dumping rubbish in their back streets.

He added: "The fines are part of our policy to eradicate street fouling.

"Some of the people who have been issued with fines have been spoken to several times. This hasn't been done out of the blue and they have been given every chance to stop doing it. Clitheroe is a lovely town and shouldn't be fouled up with discarded household rubbish."

The Eshton Terrace and Woone Lane areas in the Primrose ward represented by Clitheroe Mayor Mary Robinson are said to be the worst offenders.

She said: "Fly-tipping is one of the most common complaints I receive from constituents. People who dump large quantities of rubbish in back streets are encouraging vermin and I support the idea of taking action.

"The fines might seem like taking a sledgehammer to smash a nut and the first fixed penalty notices have already been issued. but householders need to be aware of the potential consequences if they do not put their refuse out in the correct manner."