Drug-related litter is currently cleared up by street cleaners

Several areas of the city are blighted by the problem, especially near the M32 and Ikea in Easton.

At present the needles are cleared by the city's street cleaners as part of their daily duties.

Now the council wants to set up a hotline which will allow residents to report areas which are badly affected.

Barbara Janke, leader of the city council, said the idea was part of a larger plan.

"We are considering a 24-hour cleansing of the city centre plus a hotline, a rapid response unit which could clean drugs litter."

The idea was highlighted at a cross-organisation meeting about cleanliness in Bristol.