Three fast-food restaurants have been named and shamed as the worst litter offenders in Bradford.

The three businesses are the first to be issued with litter control notices by Bradford Council, forcing them to clean up the streets outside their premises.

The new measures were introduced earlier this year when the Council created a new enforcement team as it adopted a "zero-tolerance" approach to litter and fly-tipping.

The notices have been issued against Rajas in Whetley Lane, Girlington, UK Fried Chicken in Duckworth Lane, Girlington and UK Fried Chicken in Leeds Road, Barkerend.

If the businesses fail to adhere to them they face being taken to court and paying fines of up to £2,500.

The Council's environmental health manager Neil Atkinson, who heads the new team, said: "Essentially they have to take responsibility for material produced by themselves so we ask them to do a minimum of two litter picks a day, up to 100 metres from their premises.

"We can't expect them to pick up litter from everywhere but we do ask our cleansing staff to monitor it for us.

"These three were chosen because they are three of the worse.

"We followed them up because we had complaints about them and street cleansing people kept saying there was a problem because the streets were heavily strewn with boxes from these places."

Rajas' owner Amjid Majid said he did not want to comment when he was contacted by the Telegraph & Argus.

Javeed Haider, who owns both UK Chicken outlets, could not be contacted on the telephone number provided by his staff.

Mr Atkinson said fast food businesses gave particular cause for concern and similar premises across the district will also be targeted.

"The problem with these sorts of places is the high turnover of staff," he said.

"You get the initial staff trained up but then they leave so you have to constantly revisit them."

Bradford's executive member for the environment Coun Anne Hawkesworth said: "This sends out a clear message that the Council is taking enforcement seriously.

"I should not say I am pleased that businesses have received notices but the reality is that I am.

"We are talking zero tolerance when it comes to litter and takeaways have a responsibility for the rubbish they produce.

"If they don't take it seriously then we will be back again."

Coun Rupert Oliver (Lib Dem, Bowling and Barkerend) said: "Litter makes an area look neglected and is detrimental to the general feeling of the community.

"I am in favour of Bradford, and particularly this area, being cleaner and greener. And I am supportive of measures taken by the Council to encourage business owners to take responsibility for the waste they produce."