SHOPPERS in Keighley saw the launch of a new campaign to tackle the sticky problem of chewing gum on pavements and roads.

Bradford Council have joined forces with a national campaign organised by the Chewing Gum Action Group to change behaviour and make people think twice before dropping their gum on the floor.

With support from the Airedale Shopping Centre, council wardens, ward officers and Councillor Zafar Ali, who is chairman of Keighley Area Committee, handed out gum wrapping kits to members of the public during the December 8 launch event.

They also informed people that dropping gum is a littering offence and carries an £80 fine.

Large, colourful posters promoting the campaign are on display in the shopping centre and in a number of shops, with others elsewhere around Keighley town centre.

Councillor Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council’s executive member for Environment, Culture and Sport, said: “Dropped chewing gum is a significant messy problem.

"It is very costly and time consuming to clean up and the process of removing it can also damage the pavement or road.

“Chewing gum is harder to remove than litter that can be swept up. Once it goes down on to the pavement it stays there.

“We hope this campaign will encourage gum chewers to think before they dispose of their gum."