POOLE and Bournemouth have earned praise from an environmental campaign group for their efforts to keep their streets litter-free.

But other resorts failing to crack down on litter louts have been warned they run the risk of losing vital tourist trade.

Keep Britain Tidy claims cigarette butts, chewing gum and even condoms are littering streets leading to some promenades.

Director Matt Powis said: "Just as dirty beaches have been consigned to the dustbin of history, we now need to see the sands of time run out for some of the filthy streets leading to them.

"Many councils are straining every sinew to clean up but are being let down by lazy litterers, including some residents who don't care about the damage they're causing to their town's reputation."

A new study has shown 65 per cent of councils have reported a rise in night-time rubbish, with Fridays and Saturdays the peak litter times.

More councils are employing extra cleaners at night with rising fast food rubbish sparking a boom in the rat, pigeon and seagull populations.

Mr Powis said: "All visitors to the coast should consider how they would feel if someone dropped litter outside their front door. Those who live in and litter our seaside towns need to do more to help their hard-working councils."

Councillor Don Collier, Poole's portfolio holder for environment, said: "Poole takes the cleanliness of its streets seriously.

"With 'clean, green and safe' one of the council's top priorities we have already seen massive improvements in street clean-liness over the past two years. There is still a way to go but, with our 'zero tolerance' policy, we aim to achieve a top quality standard - just like our beaches."

Bournemouth Borough Council's street scene manager Mike Moon said: "We are very pleased that we have been recognised as a resort with clean streets as well as a clean beach.

"We are proactive when it comes to keeping Bournemouth clean and tidy. Extra effort was put in this year to focus on the subways and graffiti removal as well as making the town a weed-free zone."

First published: August 15