URGENT measures to clean Whitehaven town centre are set to take place.

Proposals to tackle problem areas have been agreed at the latest Whitehaven Town Council meeting.

It follows a number of concerns by members of the public.

Town councillors agreed to send letters to take away shops to keep shop fronts clean.

And they agreed to spend in the region of £2,000 to clean the area in front of Wilkinsons.

They also agreed to continue clearing Castle Park for another three months, costing £900.

The problem of chewing gum stuck on pavements in town was also raised as an issue.

Coun Brian O'Kane said: "This is the type of thing we need in the next few weeks, before the bad weather sets in."

Councillors debated the options of hiring equipment or to hire an external company to complete the work.

They agreed for town council clerk Les Abrahams to look into the available options.

Coun John Kane said members of the public had complained to him about other issues including cigarette ends and dog fouling.

Councillors highlighted numerous streets including Lowther Street, Duke Street and King Street as areas to be tackled and cleaned.