BOLTON is to be one of only six councils across the country to take part in a pilot scheme to crackdown on eyesore fly-posting and tatty trailer advertising.

The research project, run by Bolton West MP Ruth Kelly's Department of Communities and Local Government, aims to set up a national database of prosecutions for illegal posters.

Bolton Council beat off competition from nearly 30 other authorities which bid to become involved in the initiative.

It is hoped the database will help prevent fly-posting on walls and lamp-posts and trailer advertising alongside main roads by encouraging companies and individuals to keep within the law by applying for advertisement consent. The council also hopes the database can be used to help strengthen its arguments in court and secure bigger fines against offenders.

It only dealt with one or two prosecutions a year because most advertisers co-operated when asked to remove material.

Bolton Town Centre Management said fly-posting was an issue around the likes of Kay Street and Pool Street.

Historically it had been a major problem in Great Moor Street, Bradshawgate and Oxford Street, which were targeted in a council crackdown in 2001.

The council is now recruiting a dedicated full-time enforcement officer, who will be able to impose £75 fines for offences including fly-posting. Trailer advertising attracts a court fine of up to £2,500, plus a further £250 for every day the poster remains after the conviction.

Cllr Nick Peel, Bolton's planning and highways committee chairman, said: "We are very pleased to have been selected to assist with this project.

"There was a lot of interest in the initiative because illegal advertising is a problem which many councils are battling with.

"Bolton is no different. Although we don't think the problem is worse here than in any other comparable-sized town, we are aware of the negative effect it can have.

"Our enforcement officers will be making a major contribution to the database."