A local authority has become the first in the UK to clean up the streets with the help of smartphones.

Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council (TMBC) has joined forces with littergram – an app founded by Tonbrige businessman Danny Lucas – in the hope it can tackle the litter issue throughout the country.

The free app allows users to take a picture of litter, fly-tipping, or rubbish issues, before posting it on the platform with a GPS pinpoint to the location of the problem.

The photo is sent automatically to the relevant local council authority in the hope of action.

Mr Lucas, of Higham Lane, feels it is the start of a partnership that can help work towards a cleaner Britain.

He said: “I’m absolutely delighted the council is on board, it’s a real tipping point for us. They say charity starts at home, and with Tonbridge and Malling being my local council I really wanted it to be the first to get involved.

“It will hopefully encourage everyone using the app to report issues, essentially becoming street monitors. Then the council can keep an eye on every area and get more intelligence on where hotspots are.”

The chairman of Lucas, a specialist fit out and finishing company, Mr Lucas developed the app last year, launching in April, and has since seen thousands of downloads – as well as backing from national initiative, Clean Up Britain.

“It’s been great to get its endorsement,” Mr Lucas added, “It’s all about working smarter and spreading the word.”

Last year, a report by the House of Commons communities and local government committee highlighted England is a litter-ridden country.

Cllr Mrs Jill Anderson, TMBC’s cabinet member for housing and environment services, said: “This innovative technology brings the council closer to the community to tackle the age-old problem of litter and flytipping.”

The littergram app is available on Android and iPhone.