COUNCILS across the country called on chewing gum manufacturers to help pay the bill for the mess the gum leaves on the streets.

At a special 'gum summit' representatives of councils in Westminster, Cardiff, Belfast and Edinburgh called for a litter tax of a penny-a-packet.

Swindon council, however, are keeping tight-lipped about their policy on chewing gum.

A survey by schoolchildren last May found 32,500 pieces of gum on just one small stretch of pavement on Canal Walk.

In December we reported Swindon council was set to consider installing special 'gum shields' around the town.

The gum shields have faces on them with a hole in place of the mouth.

The council was yesterday unable to comment on its policy on gum shields.

Money from the proposed tax would go towards the national cleaning bill, but would also be used to pay for a national education campaign.

Leading manufacturer Wrigley's estimates the UK gum market is worth around £258 million, with 47 per cent of Britons regularly chewing gum.

Margaret Beckett, Environment Secretary, said the new Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Bill includes provision for fines of up to £75 for people dropping used gum on the streets.

Councils have tried a variety of removal methods, including freezing, high-pressure water or chemical sprays, steam or long-handled scrapers.

Manufacturers Wrigley's claims to have invested £5 million into research to produce biodegradable gum, but with no success.

Forms of chewing gum have been in use for at least 150 years.

The first patent was issued in 1871 for a liquorice based products called Black Jack.

In the 19th century mixtures of beeswax or sweetened paraffin were used.

Dave Andrew