A councillor donned his overalls to clear sticky gum from the streets.

Ian Lucas, leader of Eastbourne Borough Council, pitched in to help staff steam clean chewing gum from footpaths in town shopping areas.

The annual job began on Wednesday, February 28, and will cover more than 8,000 square metres of paving.

Grove Road, Cornfield Road, Brassey Parade, Holly Place, Central Avenue and bus lanes are the key areas to be cleaned.

The main precinct will be cleaned later this year, once gas pipes have been laid.

Councillor Lucas said: "Eastbourne is a very clean town and we intend to keep it that way."

He warned the council would enforce £75 fines on anyone seen dropping gum.

Intex Cleaning Services uses a pressure steam cleaning process to remove gum.