Litter is expensive - nationally its costs around £370 million a year to remove litter from Britain's streets, waterways and open spaces.

Swindon picks up approximately 4500 tonnes of litter each year from such areas, costing the council tax payers £150,000 per year.

Don't be a tosser: In August Keep Britain Tidy launched a national drive to stamp out litter that is thrown from cars. The campaign was spearheaded by pop star and ex Brookside star, Jennifer Ellison.

Litter is a health hazard both to people and wildlife and is particularly dangerous to children and older people causing injury through slippery surfaces, broken glass or discarded hazardous wastes, such as car batteries or household chemicals.

Pets - and wild animals - also face risks, as they are attracted to litter seeking food and as a result frequently suffer food poisoning, suffocation or injury.

John Short, Director of Swindon Services said: "Quite apart from looking unsightly and attracting vermin, litter is costing Swindon Council tax payers £150,000 of money a year.

"Just think what else that money could be spent on if people didn't drop things like gum, crisp packets and cigarette ends."

Any type of litter takes a long time to decompose naturally, aluminium cans can take up to 100 years, with cigarette butts, the most commonly found litter taking up to two years.

So whatever the material the right thing to do is not to drop it in the first place.

This is the message that the 'Spruce Up Swindon' Campaign is hoping to spread to people in Swindon.

With over 400 litterbins in the borough the campign organisers say there is no excuse to drop litter.

Add your comment - is Swindon any worse than other towns for its litter problem? Should the borough set up a litter warden scheme and issue £50 fines to anyone caught dropping litter? Share your views!