THE man heading Worcester's litter-busting campaign has vowed to come down hard on anyone spoiling the Faithful City.

Former Worcester mayor Coun Allah Ditta, who holds the environment portfolio on the city council, launched a new clean-up campaign by insisting new powers to fine people £80 for littering will be used.

Around 50 tonnes of litter is cleaned up by the city council every week and it is hoped that new powers to fine people, which came into force last April, will bring the figure down.

He said: "We will not tolerate people who drop litter in places where it is visible. My message is that if you drop litter, it will cost you.

"At the end of the day we want a clean, green city and any litter does leave a bad impression on tourists who come to Worcester.

"We want to be proud of the city. I won't tolerate litter and will use these powers to make sure it stays clean.

"If people come to Worcester and they see rubbish, all of us are looked down on. We all get a bad name for litter, so it's my aim to make sure we make use of these new powers."

The council has launched a long-term strategy of making sure that Worcester becomes Britain's cleanest city by 2011.

The strategy has the support of the county council, West Mercia police, environmental charity and the Duckworth Worcestershire Trust, as well as a range of voluntary groups.