A COUNCIL has been chewing over on how to tackle a 'significant issue' this week.

Test Valley Borough Council supported the National Chewing Gum campaign this week.

Staff from the Environmental Service team was in the town centre on yesterday to raise awareness of the issue of gum litter.

They will be monitoring the gum dropped before, during and after the campaign and highlighting the fact that discarded gum is litter, which attracts a fine and is time consuming and expensive to remove.

A number of activities and campaign advertising will take place this month, including in Andover where chewing gum spots will be circled in chalk with a 'Grime Scene' in the Time Ring.

This activity is part of the Chewing Gum Action Group’s 2017 campaign, which aims to raise awareness around responsible gum disposal.

Leader of the council, councillor Phil North, said: “Test Valley Borough Council has a zero tolerance approach to littering, and litter includes all smoking, drinking and food related waste including cigarette butts and chewing gum.

"However, of all the items that end up as litter, one of them can’t be swept away and that’s chewing gum.

"Incorrect disposal of chewing gum is a significant issue for us and an important and emotive issue for local residents, as well as being costly to remove."