The local council also plans extra patrols in "litter hotspots" like the shopping centres of Bath, Keynsham, Midsomer Norton and some parks.

Officers will initially ask offenders to pick up their rubbish but also have the power to issue a fixed penalty notice, payable within two weeks.

Failure to pay within this time could lead to a further �2,500 fine.

Councillor Rosemary Todd said: "Our main aim is a cleaner environment and we do want to try to persuade people not to drop litter and rubbish carelessly rather than just hand out fines."