No flyer zones bid to curb litter

Handing out flyers in Leeds city centre is to become an offence with a maximum fine of £2,500, the council says.

The "no flyer zones" are being introduced from Friday in an effort to curb litter on the streets caused by discarded promotional leaflets.

Anyone distributing flyers without a permit could face a fine.

The authority said the tightened controls were being introduced ahead of university fresher's week, when the problem is expected to get worse.

The new rules exclude flyers being distributed for religious, charitable or political purposes, the council said.

Tackling this problem is essential if we are to have the clean, litter-free Leeds we all want to enjoy Councillor Steve Smith

They include a ban on putting bundles of flyers in public places such as phone boxes and on vehicles, but does not include putting them inside buildings or letter boxes.

The zone includes the city centre and parts of Woodhouse Moor, Hyde Park and Headingley. Signs have been put up in the affected areas.

Councillor Steve Smith, executive board member for City Services, said: "The litter nuisance caused by the distribution of printed materials in Leeds is unacceptable, and we are taking further action to control it.

"Using permits allows us to regulate distributors, placing conditions and costs on them which will ensure that our streets are not blighted by litter from their flyers.

"It only seems right that those who are the source of the problem cover this cost.

"Tackling this problem is essential if we are to have the clean, litter-free Leeds we all want to enjoy."