Zaragoza city council is set to approve tough new penalties designed to stamp out anti-social behaviour.

If the new legislation is approved at today's plenary session, fines of between €500 - €1,500 will be introduced to punish anyone caught spitting, urinating or throwing litter in the street, failing to clean up after their dogs, painting graffiti, or damaging trees, or items of street furniture such as litter bins or benches.

In order for the scheme to work effectively, the public will be encouraged to participate, but will be required to describe, or, if possible, identify, the wrongdoer, and provide a brief account of the incident, including time and date.

It is also proposed that offenders aged between 14-21 be allowed to perform community service in lieu of paying a fine though an amendment has been tabled to extend this option to all age groups.

The initiative is opposed by the Districts Federation local resident group on the grounds that it will "criminalise the poor."

According to the IU and CHA parties, who representatives will vote against the scheme, "it won't resolve the problem, and is no more than a Town Hall smokescreen to gloss over their own bad management."