HEREFORDSHIRE Council is set to wage war on chewing gum spitters.

Anti-social chewers caught dropping or spitting gum will face on-the-spot fixed penalty fines of £75.

Council staff are set to take to the streets on the look out for offenders in a bid to crack down on a habit that is costing ratepayers thousands of pounds.

Negotiations are planned to decide which council staff will take on the enforcement role.

The authority has revealed that a clean up initiative in Hereford earlier this year cost nearly £19,000 because specialist treatment, including the use of high-pressure steam jets, was needed.

Officials are concerned that the problem is set to get worse with summer and that the gum will put off tourists and holidaymakers.

"When you look at streets in the towns they are covered with these ugly grey patches that seem to spring up from nowhere," said Stephen Oates, the council's head of highways and transportation.

"Young people are probably the most to blame but that doesn't exclude unthinking adults who just don't care.

"We can undertake a clean-up only for gum to be back the following day. Using high pressure jets too, can damage stone and pavement which further adds to the cost."

The prospect of £75 fines could make a packet of gum very expensive but action can only be taken if the culprit is caught red-handed spitting or dropping the gum.

Council chiefs are adopting a carrot and stick approach to fighting the gum war.

As well as the prospect of fines they are also using a character called "Claud the Chewing Gum Cheetah" to spread the message.

Claud is due to take to the streets on Saturday as part of the launch of the Herefordshire Walking festival.

Face painters will turn children into cheetahs, there will be competitions and information about the demon gum.

Retailers are also providing prizes for a competition treasure chest.