Prominent lamppost banners have been put up in an attempt to warn fly-tippers of the penalties they face if they are caught in the act.

A number of the bright purple and orange banners are on display throughout Harrow, highlighting the issues the borough has suffered with rubbish dumping.

This includes the fact that 8,000 fines were handed out by Harrow Council last year for littering offences while 18 tonnes of dumped rubbish is picked up on a daily basis.

The signs also encourage the public to report any instances of fly-tipping or littering to “help make Harrow clean”.

And offenders are warned that dropping litter on the street could see them hit with a £75 fine.

Graham Henson, responsible for the environment at Harrow Council, said: “We all hate litterbugs and criminal fly-tippers whose disgusting behaviours are blighting some of our neighbourhoods and causing a nuisance for residents.

“These lamppost banners are part of our campaign to make Harrow clean with messages on the issue of littering and fly-tipping, and the penalties for it.

“While we are doing lots to make Harrow clean, residents can also help us by reporting issues to us, so that we can get rubbish off the streets quickly and fine the criminals who are intent on making the borough dirty.”

The campaign has been widely praised on social media, including the #Fixit Harrow Network on Facebook, which posted several examples of the new banners.

Administrators at the group explained that, while there is still a long way to go when it comes to rubbish in Harrow, it is nice to see that their “plight is being recognised”.