New moves are being made to clean up Brighton and Hove and make it look much brighter.

City Council officers are starting schemes to get rid of problems such as piles of bin bags, litter, graffiti, flyposting and eyesore sites.

Council leader Ken Bodfish said: "If the city was a person it would be regarded as great fun and very loveable but rather scruffy.

"I'm bothered that complaints about the city's appearance are routine and often justified.

"I feel we're not doing as well as we could. It's vital we get to grips with these problems and implement lasting solutions."

Coun Bodfish said the key to this was better co-ordination between council departments and with other organisations.

Bin bags put out on the wrong day or missed by bin crews caused litter while empty buildings attracted vandalism, flyposting and graffiti.

Coun Bodfish said: "Our performance in keeping the city tidy has a dramatic effect on how people perceive the council.

"I'm concerned good and innovative work we're doing in some services is undermined by the city looking tatty in various key locations."

The first areas to be targeted will be the city centre, the seafront, Kemp Town village and St James's Street, Moulsecoomb, London Road, Lewes Road and Stoneham Park in Hove.

It follows a best value review into the city's appearance which aimed at setting new high standards of cleanliness, concentrating on prevention rather than cure.

Culture and regeneration director Sarah Tanburn is chairing a new group, including representatives from the police, local businesses, East Brighton's New Deal for Communities and the Tidy Britain Group. It will produce an action plan.

Other councils are being consulted on ideas such as street wardens, stronger bylaws, stricter enforcement and setting up hit squads to blitz problem areas.