Chewing gum could be set to vanish from the streets of Bradford for ever, thanks to the innovative work of a Bingley company.

Butts & Gum was launched 18 months ago, marketing pocket-sized pouches to allow smokers and gum chewers a convenient, and green, way to dispose of their waste.

Now Butts & Gum is teaming up with Bradford Council in a bid to bring an end to sticky pavements in the city.

The Council has ordered more than 5,000 of the pouches, which they intend to distribute to the public in the hope that it will deter people from spitting chewing gum on to the streets.

The pouches are the brainchild of Tony Jones, manager of Butts & Gum.

Local authorities have proved to be the most popular clients for Butts & Gum, with more than 50 councils up and down the country having purchased pouches from the firm since it began trading.

Mr Jones said: "Since our launch we've been crazily busy. Most of our sales have been to local councils looking to clean up their act.

"However, we do sell online through our website and have sent orders to as far away as America.

"We have recently confirmed our partnership with Bradford Council, who are going to take thousands of the pouches.

"They are looking at now putting a team together to hand out the pouches to the public."

Butts & Gum piloted the scheme in Preston last year to superb results, with gum litter reduced by 79 per cent in the area.

And now both the Council and Mr Jones are hoping for similar results in Bradford.

"I walked through Bradford recently and the amount of gum really annoyed me - especially when it was right next to bins," said Mr Jones.

"Handing out fines and having non-stick gum is all very well but doesn't really go the full way towards prevention.

"This is an easy and convenient way to get rid of it."

The firm also does a lot of work with ENCAMS, the charity which runs the Keep Britain Tidy campaign.

Visit www.buttsandgum.com for more information.