A FAST food chain is putting money where its litter is to help Colchester Council clampdown on takeaway rubbish.

Craig Newnes, franchisee for four McDonald's restaurants in Colchester, will buy two new bins for the High Street as well as renewing sponsored bins in the town, costing a total of £1,600.

The action is part of a council campaign targeting the perpetrators of this antisocial behaviour as well as takeaway customers, drivers, pedestrians, businesses and visitors around north Colchester and the A12.

It is hoped this will educate the public as to the financial burden of litter on local authorities and change people's behaviour by reinforcing the likely fines.

Mr Newnes said: "Litter in Colchester is a big problem and I like to think as a responsible business anything we can do to help is the right thing to do.

"Colchester Council chose us to be the lead partner knowing I was behind the campaign.

"Each year I get involved in doing several events and we banner it under the campaign, 'Love where you live'."

Since the campaign began in June more than 200 bags of litter were collected from the town centre, the Cowdray Avenue area of Colchester, Stanway, and the area around Weston Homes Stadium.

Each effort was split over four phases involving 85 McDonald's staff and managers, BP, Colchester United and Costa coffee staff plus council zone wardens.

He said: "The council was blown away with our enthusiasm and efforts and it did a great job of supplying wardens to host the event along with supplying litter pickers and bags, and collecting the rubbish.

"I'm also proud to say we will be doing an ongoing litter event in partnership and are aiming to do a huge event in September in Highwoods."