Top prize for litter loud hailer

Sonia Scowcroft 'warns' litter louts - via a loud hailer

Innovative litter campaigns in Lancashire, including shouting with a loud hailer at those dropping rubbish, have gained national recognition.

Preston City Council won the top prize at the Green Apple awards at the Houses of Parliament.

The We Are Watching You campaign, which names and shames litter-droppers over a speaker system in the street, was named best local authority initiative.

The Butts Out cigarette litter campaign scooped a best practice award.

Both prizes helped Preston take the Birse Trophy - the top prize for overall achievement in environmental practice.

'Strong impact'

Sonia Scowcroft, the council's litter education officer, who co-ordinated the award-winning campaigns, said: "When we were out on tour with the We Are Watching You campaign, we had a really good reaction from local people.

"As soon as people realised they were being asked to bin their rubbish over the loud speaker system, they picked up their litter straight away.

"It's good to see that the campaigns are having such a strong impact on the ground."

Undercover colleagues keep an eye out for litter-droppers, before Ms Scowcroft speaks to them via the loud hailer in a special van.

Those caught dropping litter on the streets can be issued with an on-the-spot £50 fine.

The Green Awards, which are in their 11th year, recognise best environmental practice by local authorities and the private sector.