The city council says it is disappointed that despite spending nearly �200,000 cleaning up Humberstone Gate during the summer, the area is once again littered with chewing gum.

The operation is part of a �2m initiative to improve the environment.

The council says a big part of the city's appearance is up to the people who live there.

We need people to help us by not throwing down litter and having some pride in their city

Debra Reynolds, Leicester City Council

The clean up started in July with new paving stones in Humberstone Gate.

But a large amount of chewing gum has been dropped in the area.

Debra Reynolds, from the city council, said: "It's a real shame. It was sparkling when first done and people have just been throwing their gum down anyway."

The facelift will continue with the repaving of Cheapside and the addition of new seating and litterbins.

Once the work is finished more street cleaners will be used.

But the council said people in the city had to play their part.

Ms Reynolds said: "We can make these improvements, but we need people to help us by not throwing down litter, and having some pride in their city."