LOCAL businesses are being urged to help clean up chewing gum in Huddersfield.

They can help by sponsoring GumTargets that will be placed at popular town centre locations.

The GumTargets are used to persuade chewers to stick their gum to, rather than dropping it on the floor.

The boards, made out of powder-coated steel, are later disposed of, along with the gum on them.

The targets will contain information about the sponsor.

Targets are already in use and have been successful - 40,000 pieces of gum were collected from 40 targets over the opening six months.

That is making a lot of difference, as the average yearly cost of removing chewing gum is £150m or on average, 30p per piece of gum.

The project has spread into some schools and colleges in the Huddersfield area and could soon be expanded into Dewsbury and Batley town centres.

Kirklees Cabinet member for the environment, Clr Martyn Bolt said: "Chewing gum takes five years to biodegrade and harms wildlife. As well as sticking to shoes and clothes, it is very difficult to remove from pavements."

Any businesses interested in taking part in this scheme should contact the Environmental Services publicity and marketing officer on 01484 414854.