SHOPS in Bolton should impose surcharges on cans and bottles that consumers get back when they take empties to be recycled, a town councillor has claimed.

A similar system is used in France and Germany and would encourage people to responsibly dispose of empty beer cans and bottles and cut down on littering.

Cllr Kevan Jones, mayor of Westhoughton, made the call at a town council meeting, as members discussed a recent clear-up on a litter-strewn footpath.

The path off Cherwell Road has since been cleared by Westhoughton’s Community Payback team. Cllr Jones said: “In Germany and France people pay a 10 cents surcharge on each can.

“Then they get 40 cents back when they take them to be recycled.

“I’m sure a similar approach here would deter people from simply slinging rubbish to the side of the road.”

Town council leader Cllr David Chadwick said it was shocking that people threw rubbish in the street.

Cllr Chadwick said: “The world is drowning in rubbish. It is also a state of mind; I would never throw something aside.

“I would always take rubbish to a bin.

“It is about educating people to take more pride in their town.

“When The Bolton News does publicise people being prosecuted for throwing a fag butt down, the council seems to get castigated for it.”

He added: “There will always be some scruffy people unfortunately.

“It never ceases to amaze me how somewhere can be cleared and then, within weeks, it looks just as bad as it did before.”

The council agreed that it would be unable to employ a lengthsman to patrol the town and clear rubbish, as its budget would not cover the cost.

Members passed a motion of thanks to Andy Bolam for co-ordinating the Community Payback team’s clear-up in Cherwell Road.