THE writing is on the wall for graffiti in Leigh with a new initiative aimed at cleaning defaced streets.

Councillors have voted to introduce a new graffiti-busting unit armed with a high pressure spray to wipe away unsightly scribbles and drawings.

Almost two-thirds of Leigh, Atherton and Tyldesley are affected by the problem.

The cost of cleaning up the scourge of graffiti will be £33,200 a year.

Councillors across Wigan borough will be able to hire the graffiti buster at a cost of £500-a-week.

They would pay for the Enviro-blast system by dipping into the £10,000-a-year funds available in each ward under the Brighter Borough initiative.

The graffiti removal unit uses a mixture of grit and water to blast graffiti off wood, metal or brick without damaging the surface.

Councillors have already seen it in action after it cleared a heavily covered wall in Wigan town centre.

A survey by the Tidy Britain Group found 65 per .cent of the areas in Wigan borough visited by the group were affected by graffiti.

But Leigh Central Ward councillor Brian Thomas said he did not see graffiti as a big menace.

He said: "I can't see it being worth £500 to shift it off a wall it'll be back on the day after.

"I would like to see it as a trial period and I would have to monitor it and see if it's effective.

"We had a special machine for removing chewing gum in Leigh town centre but when you walk around you still see it everywhere on the floor. I don't see it as a big problem in Leigh, it's more of a nuisance."

Peter Taylor, director of engineering services, said: "Due to a high incidence of graffiti and its offensive nature, we are proposing to set up this dedicated unit.

"We anticipate that it will dramatically reduce the amount of graffiti in the borough."

Councillors agreed to support the scheme for 12 months with a progress report in six months.