People who hand out flyers in the centre of Preston will now need a permit from the council.

From Saturday anyone distributing leaflets will need to have a permit costing up to £405.

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Preston City Council announced the move as an attempt to stop flyers littering areas such as the Flag Market.

Anyone caught flouting the laws will be hit with an £80 on the spot fine, which could rise to a maximum of £2,500.

Deputy leader of the council, John Swindells, said: “Whilst we want businesses to be able to promote themselves there needs to be a contribution towards the cost of the clean up rather than just relying on tax payers to foot the bill.

“This new scheme has been designed to ensure that small businesses are not priced out of it and that large businesses contribute more to the cost.

“The sign-up process is simple and can be completed on our website.”

The area covered by the new legislation goes from the West Coast main line, along Fishergate to Fylde Road viaduct, Moor Lane and down to Avenham Lane. View the map below.

View Leafleting boundary in a larger map

The permits start from £55 for an annual permit, and includes one distribution badge. Each additional distribution badge will cost £5.

Political parties, religious groups and charities are exempt from the scheme. Council departments are not exempt from the scheme and will have to apply for a permit to undertake flyering within the no-go zone.

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