LEGAL action is being taken against a Newport resident who littered a city street.

The council has issued a statutory notice after a Bettws resident, of Livale Road, left black bags of rubbish strewn on his street. If he continues it could lead to a 1,000 fine.

It is the first sign of a get-tough approach since 9,000 homes were put on a six month trial that halved regular green bin collection from weekly to fortnightly.

Stephen Davison, head of public protection and environmental services, said: "We don't want to demonise people. We want to get them on board with this scheme. But we've got to the stage where we've had to serve these notices.

"If people ignore them then we will prosecute. Otherwise I don't think we will hit the recycling targets."

Council officials inspected the dumped bags and found that much of the rubbish was recyclable.

The council has halved household rubbish collections and doubled recyclable collections as it tries to hit ambitious Assembly targets.

It cannot prosecute people for not recycling, but it can issue statutory notices telling people to dispose of their rubbish properly.

It is an offence to breach a statutory notice and the case could reach magistrates court and a maximum fine of 1,000.

Mr Davison said the legal route would be taken for those who do not fit their rubbish into the bins provided, which should not be a problem if the household recycles.

Councillor Ron Jones, cabinet member for transport and sustainable development, said: "These cases are in the minority. The pilot scheme is going very well at the moment and most people in Newport are making a tremendous effort. A decision is likely in May on the continuation of the pilot scheme."