From this month people spitting or dropping chewing gum on the streets of Manchester City Centre will face fines of £50

The move is part of a drive by the City Council to tackle the environmental damage caused by irresponsible gum chewers who deposit more than one million pieces of gum on the City Centres streets every year.

The Councils enforcement officers will issue £50 fixed penalty notices to anyone seen dropping or spitting gum in a 30,000 square metre area of the City Centre.

To help gum chewers avoid fines , over 5,000 free pocket gum disposal units will be available from selected retailers

The City Council has been chosen by Defra to operate this as a pilot scheme as part of national campaign to reduce chewing gum waste.