A new graffiti hotline is being launched in Preston in a bid to help clean up the city.

Preston Council bosses are investing £45,000 in a new graffiti cleaning van and a hotline to enable people to report graffiti in their neighbourhood.

The new, special graffiti cleaning van includes high pressure water jet and the latest paint removing chemicals to remove even the most stubborn cases.

By launching graffiti line, the Council aims to clean up Preston and improve the appearance of local neighbourhoods as Coun Keith Sedgewick, cabinet member for environment and neighbourhood services said: "We're getting more and more complaints about graffiti.

"People are just fed up with it and makes where they live look a mess.

"It is as though no one cares. Well, as a Council we do care and so we've launched graffiti line to help clean it up.

"Every effort will continue to be made to catch those responsible, but we just can't stand idly by and see Preston scrawled all over.

"It is about responding to the needs of local people and we are pleased to offer this graffiti line service."

Mark Taylor, head of clean environment for Preston City Council said that the line was being set up to respond better to the increasing demand for graffiti removal.

He said: "Preston is no different to any other large town or city but graffiti has a real impact on how an area looks and how people feel about it.

"Through graffiti line, we can now remove more graffiti more quickly and so help Preston to look a much cleaner and prouder city.

"Clearly, prevention is better than cure, but at least now through graffiti line the Council is able to fulfil its duty to local people to help keep Preston clean."

Preston's new graffiti line is 01772 906909.