Youngsters from St Mungo's in Glasgow helped to collect litter

Youngsters from St Mungo's Academy joined council bosses to back the �4m campaign aimed at reducing litter, graffiti and fly-tipping.

The initiative was launched in an effort to cut Glasgow's �16m annual cleaning bill.

The council said a pot of �60,000 would also be made available to finance school litter projects.

Over the coming weeks the initiative will be rolled out in schools across the region.

Communities are already being urged to sign "contacts" agreeing to keep Glasgow clean, with on-the-spot �50 fines for those who break them.

'Real difference'

Glasgow City Council leader Steven Purcell said it was important to change the mindset of youngsters.

He said: "No city authority can keep a city clean on its own and the launch of the Schools Charter is about engaging effectively with young people, teachers and parents to better educate and inform them of the steps necessary to make a real difference."

First year pupil Rebecca Park, 12, who is a member of the St Mungo's eco-committee, said the campaign was raising awareness among her peers.

She said: "The Clean Glasgow campaign is a great way of getting young people involved practically in keeping both their school and local community clean.

"It has certainly raised awareness among the pupils at St Mungo's Academy that we are each responsible for the school environment and ensuring that it provides a healthy place in which to learn."

The local authority also intends to put 10 new CCTV mobile vans into action, and 200 additional bins will be installed across Glasgow.