A LABOUR MP is calling on the council to get on board with an "innovative" idea in a bid to rid Swindon of graffiti by educating young people.

North Swindon MP Michael Wills has received many calls from people about the growing problem blighting the town.

He has written to Tory-led Swindon Council asking them to work with him to develop an awareness campaign to be rolled out around the borough.

Swindon Council removes around 200 items of graffiti a month.

Some cases of the scrawl are reported others are cleared up by regular patrols in graffiti hotspots around the town.

Mr Wills said a change in attitude was the only way the problem would be resolved.

He added: "Any long-term solution must depend on changing behaviour and developing a new culture of respect for others. The obvious starting point for any such a cultural shift is in the schools.

"Young people clearly need to learn boundaries and to show respect to others, although in my view the great majority of young people are respectful of others and any problems are caused by a small minority.

"And I also believe that young people can act as ambassadors for a new culture of respect in Swindon which in turn this could help deal with the problems of excessive litter and graffiti."

The initiative, if agreed, would involve teachers and pupils while the Government and the council would play a key part in supporting the work, according to the MP.

Swindon Council Cabinet member for local environment Coun David Wren said funding for these sorts of initiatives can prove to be "a stumbling block" but agreed to look at the proposals and evidence of how such schemes have benefited communities.

"The council is well aware of the problem and we're tackling it from several angles," he said.

"We are already working with schools, and we have staff who go into class to talk to pupils about litter and graffiti," he said.

Eighteen schools in Swindon have signed up to become an eco-school as part of the council's push to go green which involves pupils learning about the environment, waste and litter.

Coun Wren added: "Swindon is one of the few councils that offers a free graffiti removal service to all residents, and we've just signed a graffiti charter' agreement with two utility companies, which is the first of its kind in the south west."

Once the council has decided if they want to back the scheme, Mr Wills will approach the Government to lobby for funding, as cash-strapped schools will need funding to develop the strategy.