Fast-food shops generating litter could be closed down under new council powers being considered by the Government.

And today a Bradford Council chief said the get tough policy was welcomed by the authority, which is waging a constant battle to keep the streets clean.

Councillor Anne Hawkesworth, the Council's executive member for the environment, said new proposals put forward by campaign group Keep Britain Tidy would give councils more flexible powers to deal with businesses creating litter and to clear rubbish from private land.

The anti-litter group says the proposals could involve revoking the through-the-night licences of late-night takeaway outlets that do not do enough to stop customers dropping their litter in the street.

The group also proposed that businesses should promote the anti-litter message through posters in their shops and should pay to get rubbish cleared up.

Coun Hawkesworth said in the past year the Council had written to more than 20 fast-food businesses pointing out their responsibilities and offering to talk to them about ways of keeping their areas clean.

She said: "These changes alone could make a big difference to the way our district looks by enabling us to act more quickly. We are already using the powers we have, which include sending warning letters to businesses who don't comply with our requests to keep the area around their premises tidy. But there are some which will end up with notices served on them. If they don't clear up then we will prosecute."

Catherine Gorman, head teacher, of St Cuthbert's Roman Catholic Primary School in Scotchman Road, Heaton, said she and her staff constantly had to clear fast-food cartons, empty alcohol bottles and litter from the pavement outside.

She said: "It is appalling that children are coming to school when the pavement is in that state."

The school is also the victim of fly tipping on the school fields, which staff have to clear themselves, she said.

Resident Joyce Bean, who lives in nearby Lilycroft Walk, said she was also concerned about fly tipping and rubbish dumping and she added: "It's absolutely disgusting. I've never seen it like this before. And it is even happening by the school gates."

Coun Hawkesworth said: "In the last year we have received three complaints about litter and five about fly tipping in the area, and we would urge people to keep reporting these incidents."