Megaphone man to warn litterbugs

Council officials have warned people dropping litter in one Nottinghamshire town that they face public humiliation during a summer clean-up.

An actor dressed as Gordon Bin-it will patrol Mansfield with a megaphone to embarrass litterbugs as part of the scheme which starts on Friday.

About five tonnes (5080 kg) of litter are picked up in the town each day, according to the authority.

The council has warned those caught during the scheme face a £75 fine.

'Great local environment'

World record holder John Evans balanced about 150 kg (0.135 tonnes) of litter on his head - the amount picked up in the district every 45 minutes - to mark the start of the It's Your Mansfield project on Friday afternoon.

Mayor Tony Egginton said: "The campaign aims to celebrate what's great about our local environment whilst trying to prick the conscience of those that either deliberately or through sheer ignorance just want to destroy it.

"To raise standards higher we need everyone to take pride in their area and accept greater responsibility for a cleaner, greener Mansfield.

"That includes not dropping litter, recycling more, cleaning up after dogs and reporting any fly tipping, graffiti, abandoned cars and other environmental crimes to the council."