CHURCH Hill residents have been told that if they want to keep the area free of litter and dog mess, they might have to snitch on those causing it.

At a neighbourhood group meeting, Roger Thatcher, of the council's Environmental Health Team said that from this month, £50 fixed penalties could be handed out to litter droppers and dog owners who failed to clean up after their pets.

Residents generally welcomed the idea but some felt that reporting others could lead to trouble.

But Mr Thatcher said any reports or evidence offered by the public would be treated confidentially.

He said he and his colleagues would have to rely on evidence from residents if they were to catch people.

If people refused to pay the fine, they could be prosecuted and potentially fined £2,500.

Another issue raised was the mess left behind by people using a nightclub in Church Hill Centre at weekends.

One resident said it was not just litter but vomit.

Mr Thatcher said, unfortunately, vomit was not counted as litter and the problem was more of a licensing issue.