More streets set to benefit from gum clean-up

Specialist equipment will be used to remove gum without chemicals

More streets in Bournemouth and Poole are set to have chewing gum removed following a further funding boost.

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council has been awarded £27,000 for gum-removing and prevention measures.

The authority received a similar grant last year and the latest funding will allow clean-ups in Falkland Square and Poole High Street, as well as the high streets in Boscombe and Winton.

The council said it would help keep town centres free of the "unsightly blight" of chewing gum.

The grant is from the national Chewing Gum Task Force, administered by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy.

The task force is funded by major gum manufacturers including Mars Wrigley and Perfetti Van Melle, which have contributed £10m spread over five years.

The funding has provided specialist cleaning equipment that can be used to remove gum stuck to streets and footpaths without the need for chemicals.

It also aims to bring about "long-term behavioural change" to cut down on littering.

Richard Herrett, the council's portfolio holder for destination, leisure and commercial operations, said: "Businesses and residents have told us they want more to be done and it is great that we are able to work alongside Keep Britain Tidy to ensure action can be taken.

"Clearing gum isn't simple - it takes specialist equipment - but the easiest way to avoid gum on our streets is for residents and visitors to discard their chewing gum in the bins provided."