FLY-POSTERS could have to pay up to £200 under a new council crackdown.

Swindon Council is getting tough on companies that routinely leave their posters on display long after the events publicised have been and gone.

According to council officials, fly-posting destroys the quality of public spaces and will not be tolerated.

Under the Cleaner Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005, councils now have the power to charge companies profiting from the posters for the cost of removing them.

The offence is punishable by a fine of up to £100 and, in the case of a second or subsequent convictions, a fine of up to £200.

Richard Palacio, Swindon Council's environmental improvement manager, said he was fed up with fly-posting blighting communities across Swindon.

He said: "What you have here is companies fly-posting all around Swindon, making the place look like something from the Bronx or Harlem.

"It is irresponsible and the beneficiaries of these events should know that we will not tolerate it."

The council will write to businesses or individuals responsible for fly-posting and order them to remove the posters within seven days.

If this is not done then the council is authorised to take down the posters and charge those responsible for the costs incurrred.

The cost of removing a poster zip-tied to a tree or lamp-post is about £20 while a poster fixed to another surface could cost up to £200.

Fly-posting is defined as the unlawful advertising of an event, service or business by affixing posters, signs, pictures, notices, etc to any permanent fixture such as a railing or a lamp-post, in or on the highway, or on a tree.

Mr Palacio said: "We are keen to stress that we are not trying to ban anyone from putting up posters - we just want to make sure that they are not left lying around for ages after the event is over.

"If there is a community event, like a fete or Father's Day event, then of course we are not going to prevent people putting up posters.

"All we would ask is that they make every effort to take them down again when the event is over."

Justin Britchford, of The Apartment night club, said he was pleased to see the council tackling the problem.

He said: "I definitely think it's a good idea. Fly-posting makes the area look a mess and it's certainly not something that we condone.

"Our posters are put by contractors who have signed a contract to say that they won't fly-post.

"This is something I will be reiterating to them when we have a meeting next week."

The Cleaner Neighbourhoods and Environment Act also prohibits the distribution of literature within the town centre by businesses and campaigning groups.

Political, religious and charity leafleting is exempt from the ruling.