A CRACKDOWN has been launched on people who throw litter from vehicles.

New plans have been unveiled by the government to fine people up to £150 for dropping rubbish by the roadside.

People who litter could face increased fixed penalties and the owners of vehicles could be fined if rubbish is thrown from their car by a driver or any passenger, under measures being consulted on as part of a national litter strategy.

Recently complaints had been made over rubbish which was gathering on the A6068 between junction eight of the M65 and Padiham.

The move comes as Burnley Council has recently teamed up with Kingdom Environmental Enforcement Services to try and help stop littering.

Agency staff will carry out patrols, identify hot spot areas and issue on-the-spot fixed penalty notices.

Council leader Cllr Mark Townshend said: “I welcome that the government is taking this issue seriously at last, we’ve just launched our own zero tolerance policy.

“It is a problem that has blighted our communities for far too long.

“Anything that can be done to encourage people to not litter is welcome for me.”

The government also wants offenders on community service, including fly-tippers, to help clean up the streets.

New guidance for councils will be issued with new designs and better distribution of public litter bins to make it easier for people to discard rubbish.

Officials will work with Highways England to target the 25 worst litter hotspots on the road network.

There are also plans to create a 'green generation' by educating children to lead the fight against litter and boost participation in national clean-up days.

Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans said: “The roads and paths are not an extension of people's rubbish bins.

“You walk along streets and you can see where people have just dumped rubbish and thrown it out of windows, it’s a disgrace.

“We want to see Britain beautiful and clean and there are no excuses for people not taking their rubbish home.

“I also like the idea that offenders like flytippers will be told to clean up rubbish.”

Hyndburn and Haslingden MP Graham Jones said: “I think people who throw rubbish straight out of the car window should be prosecuted. They won’t do it again.

“I don’t understand why people would do it in the first place.”

According to the Government’s strategy, street cleaning cost local authorities in England £778 million.