LUDGERSHALL and Tid-worth householders who put their black rubbish bags out for collection a day early may now face £50, on-the-spot fines from a squad of litter police.

Kennet District Council says it intends to eradicate the practice of householders and businesses illegally placing waste on the highway.

Black bags left on the pavement for collection too early have been a major bone of contention in both Tidworth and Ludgershall as the bags are often ripped open by animals or individuals and the contents then spill out.

Calls for the council to introduce cleaner and more modern bin systems, as used in Test Valley, have fallen on deaf ears at council headquarters in Devizes.

Officers from the council's environment and amenity services department have now been granted powers of enforcement under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

The fixed penalty notice must be paid within 14 days or people will face prosecution in the magistrates court.

Parish clerk Janet White said officials had already been in the area to warn offenders of the new powers.

Enforcement officers are also targeting businesses that place their waste out on the highway without a proper agreement for its collection and disposal. Commercial offenders could ultimately be fined up to £5,000 in a magistrate's court.

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