Council workers in Gwynedd are aiming to tackle the problem of old chewing gum stains on pavements and streets.

Task force funding has been secured by Cyngor Gwynedd to buy a specialist steam machine designed to make it easy to remove unsightly stains.

The council's tidy-up teams ('Timau Tacluso') will be making use of machine across Gwynedd over the next few weeks.

June Jones, cabinet member for engineering at Cyngor Gwynedd, said: "Carelessly discarded chewing gum is an issue that is raised by the people of the county all the time, so it has been good news that we have been able to purchase specialist equipment to tackle the problem."

"We are grateful to the Chewing Gum Task Force for their investment, and we hope that the work that will be carried out over the coming weeks and months by the Timau Tacluso will transform Gwynedd's pavements."

Gwynedd is one of 52 local authority areas in the UK to secure funding from the Chewing Gum Task Force, which is run by the Keep Britain Tidy charity.

It's the third year in a row that the council has secured a capital grant (£26,752) as part of the Defra-led scheme, which brings together some of the biggest chewing gum producers to remove gum litter from the streets and prevent further littering.

Steven Edwards, street scene manager at Cyngor Gwynedd, added: "Unfortunately, many people in Gwynedd will have had the experience of getting someone else's old chewing gum stuck on their shoes or clothes, and carrying it into their homes, school or workplace."

"That's why we are working hard to raise awareness not to be thoughtless when disposing of used gum in the first place."

"It's also important to remember that disposing of chewing gum irresponsibly harms our environment, and it takes years to decompose naturally, which increases the pressure of cleaning costs for the council."

"As part of this project, we are encouraging the public to get on board; by raising awareness with the placement of signs and publishing posts on our social media accounts, asking users to put their used gum in the bin to help keep the streets of Gwynedd clean and tidy."

The council is asking local residents who would like the Timau Tacluso team to visit their area to speak to their local county councillor.