Litter louts and fly-tippers in north Oxfordshire could get fixed-penalty fines or face court action if they are caught by a council's new 'green' police.

In a bid to boost its cleaner greener campaign Cherwell District Council has put two new blitz team members, both with enforcement powers, on the streets.

The council has said the move is in response to calls from residents to focus extra resources on the issue.

The enforcement pair will build on the work already done in a series of neighbourhood clean-up blitzes which have been welcomed by residents.

They will focus on environmental issues such as litter, abandoned vehicles, and fly-tipping, and work with the district's street wardens - and they will talk to residents and businesses, and work with local schools.

In a statement, the council said: "Education and raising awareness will be a big part of their role.

"But they'll also issue fixed penalty notices and gather evidence for court prosecutions if individuals or organisations ignore warnings about litter and other environmental issues.

"They will work flexible hours so that they can be on hand if there are problems at particular times or in certain parts of the district."

Cllr Kieron Mallon, the council's executive member for the environment, said: "This is a major investment in our cleaner greener Cherwell campaign and is another important element of our response to what local people have been telling us about this being a priority issue.

"In addition to the good work that has been done during the neighbourhood blitzes, the new officers will give us the opportunity to talk one-on-one with hundreds of residents to get their thoughts on the importance of environmental issues.

"The week-long blitzes make a big difference.

"We've said that keeping our communities neat and tidy after the clean-ups is something local people have to work together on.

"The two additions to our cleaner greener team will help our communities do that work."

Neighbourhood blitzes see teams of cleaners spend up to a week in given areas cleaning streets, removing graffiti, and repairing vandalised equipment.

The cleaner green campaign is an environmental initiative that aims to build on the huge success of the recycling scheme that has put Cherwell district among the country's top recyclers.

Residents with questions about the campaign can call 01295 221940 or email the council directly on amenity.services@cherwell-dc.gov.uk