EYESORE rubbish sites in Worcester will be cleared within 48 hours after a campaign by the Evening News targeted a growing litter problem in the city.

The Evening News Grot Spot crusade let readers highlight parts of the city being blighted by continual rubbish dropping.

Now city councillors have promised to set up a special hit-squad which will tackle the affected areas in less than two days.

"This is the same idea as the campaign - you tell us where there are problems and we'll head for the clean-up," said Councillor Derek Prodger, cabinet member responsible for keeping the city clean, green and safe.

"I've been back to three or four of the sites and they've stayed fairly clean and tidy, but if they were to reappear we would hit them."

Leaders also plan to create a new post in the council to reduce the opportunity to litter - targets will range from fast food restaurant wrappers to bank machine receipts.

They also confirmed two officers would be hired to help hand out on-the-spot fines for rubbish droppers and pet owners who allow dogs to foul city pavements.

Coun Prodger backed the harder line, branding people who continue to litter a "disgrace".

"It's sad to say the city isn't responding the way it should. It is a beautiful old city and as I walk down the High Street, you've got a sweeper there and still people drop litter," he said.

"The city has got to learn its lesson and people who drop rubbish should be prosecuted."

Councillors last night backed plans to start a phased fortnightly wheelie bin rubbish collection across the city in a bid to make more homes recycle.

"When they see the bins in use, people who might have been opposed to them might think 'where's ours?' and start to request them," said Coun Paul Denham supporting the decision.