LITTER louts in Worcester will face £50 fines from next April under a new Government crackdown to clean up the streets.

That doubles the existing £25 charge, which has been in place for five years and is longer seen as a deterrent.

The fines will be handed out by the army of neighbourhood wardens who are being appointed in the county.

Ministers believe frequent public information campaigns have failed - so now they want to use the law to get tough with litter louts.

The wardens will hand out fixed-notice fines in the same way as traffic wardens.

Message

Culprits would have 21 days to pay the £50, and hauled up in court if they fail to do so.

Persistent offenders could be forced to sweep the streets or scrub off graffiti.

Fines would be used to pay for recruiting more uniformed patrols from the community.

City councillor Derek Prodger, who has long campaigned to clean the city's streets, welcomed the move.

"If the pump-priming comes from the Government and the fines fund the cost of wardens, it has to be a good thing.

"Working towards a cleaner Worcester is close to my heart. This will send a clear message that those who drop litter can no longer get away with it."