A CLEAN-UP champion is being sought to oversee the fight against littering, graffiti, flyposting and dog fouling in Bolton.

The council has created a new post of education and enforcement officer which is being advertised in environment magazines around the country.

Once appointed, the new officer's role will be to co-ordinate several existing anti-mess initiatives.

Whoever gets the job will not need a legal background, but they will require a working knowledge of the laws under which any necessary prosecutions will be brought.

The work of council teams, including officers who go around schools telling pupils about environmental issues and the dog control unit, among others, will come under the remit of the new officer.

Precise details of the new officer's powers are still being reviewed.

Close liaison with town centre ambassadors, employed by Bolton Town Centre Company, is expected.

Ambassadors already play a crucial role in reporting flyposting and graffiti to the council and advising traders of the correct way to dispose of rubbish.

Council staff say that, in some cases, education alone can prevent problems.

For instance, people who fly tip items such as settees often do not realise these can be collected by the council. But the council said it would take a hard line with residents and traders who flouted rules which had been made clear to them.

A council spokesman said: "This is sending a message out that we are taking these issues very seriously.

"If people have been told that they are doing something wrong and they carry on doing it, they will be fined.

"The emphasis is on ensuring Bolton is an attractive place to live and work."

Cathy Savage, Town Centre Company manager, said: "This is an initiative we welcome. I hope whoever is appointed will work closely with us."

A CLEAN-UP champion is being sought to oversee the fight against litter louts, graffiti, flyposting and dog fouling in Bolton.

The council has created a new post of education and enforcement officer which is being advertised in environment magazines around the country.

Once appointed, the new officer's role will be to co-ordinate several existing clean-up initiatives.

Whoever gets the job will not need a legal background, but he or she will require a working knowledge of the laws under which any necessary prosecutions could be brought.

Council workers, such as the dog control unit and officers who visit schools telling pupils all about environmental issues will come under the new officer.

Precise details of the new officer's powers are still being drawn up.

Close liaison is expected with the town centre ambassadors who are employed by the Bolton Town Centre Company.

The ambassadors already play a crucial role in reporting flyposting and graffiti to the council and advising traders on the correct way to dispose of rubbish.

Council staff say that, in some cases, education alone can prevent problems.

For instance, people who fly tip items such as settees often do not realise these can be collected by the council.

But the council said it would take a hard line with residents and traders who flouted rules which had been made clear to them.

A council spokesman said: "This is sending a message out that we are taking these issues very seriously.

"If people have been told that they are doing something wrong and they carry on doing it, they will be fined.

"The emphasis is on ensuring Bolton is an attractive place to live and work."

Cathy Savage, Town Centre Company manager, said: "This is an initiative we welcome. I hope whoever is appointed will work closely with us."