Motorists and lorry drivers particularly are being targeted for the next four weeks with a special campaign to remind them not to drop litter which will include two roadside electronic message boards.

The Council’s cleansing partners Suffolk Coastal Services Ltd (SCS) are taking the lead on the campaign and have also linked up with the Port of Felixstowe to help get the message across.

“Radio Suffolk’s excellent Don’t Be A Tosser campaign has regularly highlighted one of the big problems facing us which is the amount of rubbish that is being thrown or dumped by motorists, particularly on the A12 and A14,” said Cllr Andrew Nunn, Cabinet Member for the Green Environment.

“We have been getting tough in the last few months, with over 80 motorists issued with fixed penalty notices since April, but we also want to get the simple message across to people that they should hold onto their litter and not just throw it out on our roadsides.

“These two variable message signs (VMS) will help us target our message at motorists, and particularly truckers using the busy port at Felixstowe, and hopefully stop some of the quite disgusting littering that our SCS teams have to clear up,” added Cllr Nunn.

It is currently costing Suffolk Coastal around £600,000 a year to clear up rubbish left around the district, with one team of workers dedicated to just keeping the A12 and A14 clean and tidy.

The two VMSs will be at Trinity Avenue, Felixstowe near the port, and at the Orwell Crossing, Nacton on the A14 from Monday (January 23) for four weeks.

Anti-littering leaflets will also be handed out to drivers, thanks to the Port of Felixstowe, at the vehicle check points at the Dock Gates and will also be available at the Orwell Crossing.

“This Council’s Chief Executive Stephen Baker and others have been asking the Highways Agency to put anti-litter messages on their new multi-million pound VMS gantries along the A14 and hopefully that will eventually happen.

Councillor Andrew Nunn interviewed by BBC Radio Suffolk's Luke Deal as part of the station's 'Don't be be a Tosser Campaign'.

“In the meantime, we have decided to press ahead with our own initiative and have hired these solar-powered boards to get our rather important environmental messages out to as many people as possible.

“There really is no excuse for anyone to drop litter or for fly-tipping as there are so many bins and recycling facilities for people to use when they are out on the road, or of course they can bag it up and dispose of it at home,” added Cllr Nunn.

Anyone that spots someone dropping litter from a vehicle can report the incident to SCS on 01394 444000.