WORCESTER City Council has raked in more than £4,000 from litterbugs in the last year.

More than 700 people and businesses have been pulled up on a number of offences which include littering in the street, dog fouling, failing to keep their land clean, and even for putting a bin out on the wrong day.

As a result, litter louts have had to fork out a total of £4,270 in fixed penalty notices for offences that have come under the Cleaner Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005.

Environmental health manager Martin Gillies said: "The numbers for this year (2007/2008) will dramatically increase because the notices are served by both the environmental health and community support officers.

"The community support officers appear to be very proactive in issuing notices.

"They were doing some last year when the legislation first came in using a softly softly approach and attempting to educate the public but at some point you have to get tough."

Between April 2006 and April this year, 110 street litter notices were served on members of the public. Seventy-six of those who dropped litter in public, including chewing gum and cigarette butts, have paid up, bringing in £4,090 for the city council, while 18 are waiting to be paid.

One case is currently going through the courts for non-payment, while 15 were discontinued. The £80 fines are reduced to £50 if people pay within 10 days of being issued a notice.

Meanwhile, two dog fouling notices were served. Last October, we reported how dog owners could face £1,000 fines for letting their pets foul in Worcester. However, offenders can pay a fixed penalty charge of £75, or £50 if they pay within 10 days.

Mr Gillies said four waste receptacle offences were also issued, while one litter control notice was handed out with the intention to help deal with food and drink packaging. However, litter control notices can also be served on businesses that have ATM machines, betting facilities, sell lottery tickets, and where goods are displayed for sale on or adjacent to the street.

Fifty-six litter clearing notices were served - which ask a land occupier or owner to clear their area of a build-up of refuse or litter that reduces the quality of the local environment - while one business was pulled up on the fact it did not have the right documentation to transport or dispose of its trade waste.

A total 540 warning notices were also issued.