There are up to 4.2m CCTV cameras in Britain

The cameras order people to stop misbehaving, via a loudspeaker operated by control centre staff.

Critics of the scheme, originally piloted in Middlesbrough, say it takes surveillance too far.

But South Tyneside Council, which will unveil the plans next week, said the Teesside trial was a proven success.

The authority has obtained funding from the Home Office to attach speakers to existing CCTV cameras in the town centre and seafront areas.

The camera operators will be able to talk to people and politely ask them to stop littering and put their rubbish in a bin Councillor John Anglin

Local people will be able to hear about the proposals at the Riverside Community Area Forum meeting on Thursday

Forum Chair Councillor John Anglin said: "The camera operators will be able to talk to people and politely ask them to stop littering and put their rubbish in a bin.

"It might sound a bit Big Brother, but evidence from a pilot project in Middlesbrough has shown that this approach does work and people do as they are asked."

In Middlesbrough, staff in a control centre monitor pictures from 12 talking cameras and can communicate directly with people on the street.

The scheme has won praise scheme for preventing fights, criminal damage and cutting litter levels.

But in May, Richard Thomas, the UK's Information Commissioner, told MPs the effectiveness of CCTV was not proven and talking cameras may be "a bridge too far".