A Bradford entrepreneur is on a one-woman crusade to clean up the streets from the blight of discarded cigarette butts and litter.

Claire Fitton, a former regeneration worker, has taken a novel approach to the problem which has reached near epidemic proportions since the introduction of the smoking ban almost a year ago.

She has kitted herself out with a custom-made machine, similar to a leaf-sucker but specifically designed to suck up stray cigarette butts.

Miss Fitton, of Thornton, operates under the company name InsideOut Solutions and believes she offers a unique service.

She said: “In my regeneration work I worked on so many community clean-ups and everyone was supplied with grabbers and bags and did an excellent job but certain things like cigarette ends were very difficult to clean up using that method.

“Private companies have a difficulty, however, as do authorities such as the Council. There wasn’t really anyone providing a service for them.

“It’s not an anti-smoking initiative, I’m a smoker myself so its not about that but since the smoking ban I have noticed large amounts of cigarette ends building up outside pubs and offices.

“This is about helping to make Bradford look more attractive and making it more pleasant to live and work in.”

Miss Fitton successfully applied for a business start-up grant from Bradford Chamber of Commerce and bought equipment from a German company.

She is now contacting businesses in the area to offer her services.

“The business was only launched this month but I have written to a lot of the banks, pubs and the Co-op chain as well as Bradford Council to see whether they are interested.

“I am just going to see how things go but I’ve had a positive response so far.”

A spokesman for Bradford Chamber of Commerce said: “Claire is a great example of people tackling everyday problems and finding effective solutions.

“She has put her valuable knowledge and experience in regeneration and community work to good use in setting up this business, and we are pleased that we have been able to help.”

Neil Atkinson, environmental health manager, acknowledged the problem of cigarette litter.

He said: “Smoking litter is a problem and it has increased since the introduction of the smoking ban.

“We encourage businesses to keep the areas outside their premises clear of all litter and put up suitable bins for people to use.

“We can take legal action against pubs, restaurants and take-aways for litter and we do monitor businesses where we have received complaints.”

e-mail: paddy.mcguffin @telegraphandargus.co.uk