THREE playing fields in Wirral are the focus of a new anti-litter project aimed at encouraging footballers to bin their rubbish while raising money for charity at the same time.

Wirral is one of seven local authority areas which has joined forces with environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy and The Wrigley Company in a bid to improve streets and green spaces by reducing the amount of litter.

The project lasts for three months with litter bins in Arrowe Park, Central Park and Plymyard playing fields being transformed into charity collection pots, with a different local charity benefiting each month.

In Wirral, the charities that will benefit are Claire House, Wirral Autistic Society and Wirral MIND.

The more litter that goes into the bins and the less on the ground, the more money the featured charity of the month will receive.

A three month pilot that took place last year in Rayleigh saw a reduction in litter of more than 42%.

At the same time, three local charities received more than £1,300 in donations, while the project was also nominated for two Local Government Chronicle Awards. 

Cllr Bernie Mooney, cabinet member for environment and sustainability, said: “We are excited to be taking part in the Bin it for Good project. Wirral spends more than £3.7 million per year on keeping our streets, parks and open spaces free from litter. This is money that could be better spent elsewhere."

The project comes as the council continues its zero-tolerance crackdown on littering with the use of enforcement officers from Kingdom Ltd.

More than 3,200 penalty notices have been given out so far - totalling £258,000.

The local authority hired Kingdom Ltd to patrol the borough - with staff using body cameras to gather evidence.

The drive began on July 1 and new figures show 3,229 penalties were issued up to September 22 – a huge increase on the total of 90 littering fines over five years from 2010.

Nearly were against smokers for dropping cigarette ends.

The £80 penalty is reduced to £60 if paid within ten days.

The council shares a percentage of each fine with Kingdom and says the rate of payments received currently stands at around 55% - meaning total revenue generated is in the region of £110,000 to £142,000.