BOLTON'S top "green" officer wants cash-strapped Bolton Council to spend LESS on cleaning up after litter louts. Mr Jeff Layer, head of environmental management, shocked councillors yesterday when he said he would cut the £1.3 million a year the council spends. He hit out at the planning committee: "It is not the council which causes litter problems, it is the public.

"I don't see why we should spend millions of pounds cleaning up after these people.

"It is about time we made the public take some responsibility for the town.

"I would rather the money was put into a campaign to educate people to be good citizens and not drop litter."

He also warned that the council was ready to take action against businesses and shops which did not clean up outside their premises, particularly hot food take-aways.

Astley Bridge Labour Cllr Steve Hynes asked: "Why should this council be a nurse-maid running round cleaning up after people?"

He hit out at people who spit out chewing gum in the street and drop cigarette ends.

"It makes the place look ugly and disgusting and these people have no idea of civic pride."

Cllr Mrs Prentice Howarth added: "We also have to educate shopkeepers to do things like putting bins outside their shops. Even organisations like Bolton Wanderers should be urged to take responsbility for the litter on Manchester Road on match day."

But Tory deputy leader Cllr Derek Shepherd hit back: "You are going to get a dirtier town if you spend less on cleaning up the streets."

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