COUNCIL chiefs have promised to get tough with litter louts who are leaving Stourbridge town centre in a messed up state.

It follows a barrage of complaints from town traders and the public alike who believe the eyesore could develop into a health hazard.

Already an angry Stourbridge Township Council has written to the principals at both Birmingham Metropolitan College and King Edward VI College complaining about the mess their students are making.

But despite an increase in the amount of litter bins provided, the culprits continue to shower the town with rubbish.

Township Council chairman Margaret Scott has already branded the offenders a disgrace and said: "It's mindless and created by people who don't care and probably don't even live in Stourbridge."

Litter has been strewn around Market Street close to St Thomas's Church and outside the Subway store by the Crown Centre entrance.

There have also been issues of people throwing litter into gardens along Hagley Road.

Stourbridge shop owner Clive Sowerby, of Sowerby's Shoes in Lower High Street, said: "It's not really acceptable. It's an insult to our new town centre.

"If this is an example of what they're prepared to put up with, they ought to go and live somewhere else - maybe Baghdad."

Cllr Hilary Bills, Dudley's cabinet member for the environment and culture, said: "We are aware of the issue of people dropping Subway wrappers in the town.

"It is the responsibility of the business owner and individuals purchasing food to dispose of all litter properly.

"Our enforcement officers have visited Subway and requested that they do what they can to manage the issue.

"We have also put up warning posters informing people that littering can incur a £75 fine. We have already issued four fines in the last three weeks to people caught littering."