REDDITCH'S clean team has slashed the number of complaints of fly tipping and dog fouling by a third in the last year.

The council's two environmental enforcement officers Dave Bennett and Claire Boylan have tackled the issues by increasing their patrols across the town.

As well as giving residents advice they are also qualified to hand out penalty notices, cautions and court summons to perpetrators. They work long hours in seven-day shift patterns meaning they can be flexible in responding to calls.

However, their hard work has paid off with just 575 reports of fly tipping in the last year compared to 1,487 complaints in 2005/6.

Mr Bennett, a former police dog handler, said: "We intend to continue making Redditch a cleaner, greener and safer place to live and visit. But we need the continued co-operation and help of residents."

If anyone sees any fly-tipping or dog-fouling offences, call the team at Redditch Town Hall on 64252.