Litter louts and other environmental criminals face tough penalties as Cherwell District Council launches a new keep-the-streets-clean campaign.

The initiative includes fixed penalty notices for a range of offences such as dropping litter (£75), failing to remove dog mess (£50) and abandoning a vehicle (£200).

A one-month warning period began this week with council officers targeting town centres and known fly-tipping hotspots.

Members of the public caught dropping litter or not clearing away dog mess will receive a warning letter - but from December 1, enforcement officers will hand out fixed penalties.

The fines are part of the scheme that will see traders hit with £300 tickets for incorrectly disposing of trade waste.

Kieron Mallon, the council's executive member for the environment, said: "This is not just about keeping the streets clean. It's about protecting the environment and making our open spaces better for everyone.

"The annual cost of dealing with these issues in Cherwell is in the region of £1m."

Cherwell's neighbourhood services manager Mark Harmon said: "Some people are just too lazy to put their rubbish in a litter bin. It costs us to clean it up and it's a bugbear for the majority who respect our environment."