Anti-spitting banners put up across district

A clampdown on the dirty habit was introduced by council bosses on September 1.

Now a series of banners and posters have been put up in various locations including on the fencing surrounding Hednesford Park, warning people what could happen to them if they are caught spitting.

No fines have been handed out yet since the launch, according to Cannock Chase Council's environment chief Councillor Carl Bennett.

But he said the majority of people were still behind the move.

He said: "There are about eight, big banners and posters around the district, as well as some smaller ones.

"No fines have been handed out to anyone yet.

"I don't want people to be fined for spitting. I want all of this to act as a deterrent to stop them from doing it in the first place.

"We fine people for letting their dogs foul on the street and for littering. Why not for spitting?"

On-the-spot £50 fines will be handed out by council environmental health officers to those caught in the act of spitting.

Three environment enforcement assistants have been trained on how to dish out the fixed penalty notices.

Fines will be handed out to spitters in the same way they are for littering or dog fouling.

Only a handful of local authorities across the UK have brought in the legislation since an original nationwide ban which then carried a £5 fine was rescinded by the government in 1992.

Waltham Forest, in London, was the first local authority to bring a successful prosecution for spitting in a public place at the end of last year. Since then it has handed out dozens of penalty notices.

Spitting can aid the spread of infection diseases such as tuberculosis(TB), health experts claim.