Cigarette end litter vacuumed up

Special vacuum cleaners to clear up street litter such as cigarette ends are being used in the city of Bath.

The council has four litter vacuum units and says that each machine can pick up 10,000 cigarette ends per day.

The device has a 90-litre street barrow which is fitted with a vacuum unit and hose enabling quick and easy pick up.

The machinery has been funded by Bath and North East Somerset council (Banes) with investment from Future Bath Plus in the private sector.

The council has allocated £1.9m for 2008/09 to the four neighbourhood teams who are responsible for keeping the district clean and free of litter.