The most direct action yet was taken against litterbugs in Bradford's ongoing war on rubbish.

Giant stiltwalkers braved yesterday's rain to patrol the streets of Bradford, shouting at passers-by with megaphones to remind them to put their rubbish in a bin.

Smokers and people chewing gum were particularly singled out by the stiltwalkers as one of the main causes of Bradford's litter.

The high profile campaign is part of a week-long series of activities to draw attention to the massive cost that Bradford Council faces in clearing up the city centre's streets from litter. The "Litter: What a Waste Campaign," is designed to highlight the massive cost of removing litter from Bradford streets, which runs to more than £6 million each year.

Earlier in the week, a massive pile of rubbish was created in Centenary Square to demonstrate how much litter is thrown onto the city centre's streets each day, a shocking 240 bags worth. Council bosses are trying to get the message across that this cash could be far better spent on more useful things such as reducing council tax bills or improving housing.

The crackdown is aimed chiefly at teenagers who officers say are the worst culprits when it comes to littering.

One of the stilt walkers was John Lambert, a former Bradford councillor and education committee chairman. Inbetween telling everybody who walked past to make sure their litter ended up in the bin and not the street, he said: "As a person I have always been very against litter.

"I often stop people in the street and tell them off if I see them doing it. It may put myself in danger but it is something I feel very strongly about."

As previously reported in the Telegraph & Argus, a new Green Team task force is being set up to tackle litter and flytipping across the district.

The £4.5 million team will clean up grot spots and transform them into community gardens and local green resources.

Councillor Anne Hawkesworth, Bradford Council's executive member for the environment, said: "The stilt- walker brought fun to the city centre while delivering a serious message about the problems of litter in the city centre and the district."

e-mail: mark.casci @bradford.newsquest.co.uk