ENVIRONMENT detectives will be on the look-out for people who drop litter or let their dogs foul public places.

Two new wardens have been taken on to spot and fine people making a mess in Abingdon and Wantage.

Fixed penalty notices, which carry fines of up to £100, will be dished out to people who drop litter, let dogs foul footpaths, graffiti and fly-posting.

Vale of White Horse District council hopes new powers will help make the area a cleaner and more pleasant place to live.

Angela Lawrence, the council's executive member responsible for environmental health, said: "People should not have to put up with problems such as litter and dog fouling which can have a really detrimental impact on our streets.

"We have consulted with residents and they have told us very clearly that they want us to take tough action against the minority of people who carry out these unpleasant environmental crimes."

The new initiative follows talks with the public, including the Vale Voice Citizens Panel, on its plans to introduce penalties.

The council said residents gave strong support for plans to use fines to tackle problems particularly litter and dog-fouling.

The new wardens are Colin Marshall, a former police officer, who will cover the Wantage and Faringdon areas.

Meanwhile, Sadie Broadbridge, who previously worked as a neighbourhood warden will cover Abingdon. Both will spend time patrolling the villages and towns.

The wardens will also be able to hand out fines to businesses that fail to produce written transfer notes which show they have disposed of their waste properly. This is to help clampdown on fly-tippers.