Police say their community support officers will visit several times a day during the summer months and will not hesitate to hand out on-the-spot fines.

Insp Gary Stewart believes part of the problem stems from people drinking alcohol.

"We're seeing increasing levels of anti-social behaviour fuelled by drunkenness on The Meadows," he said. "Why is it so hard to pick up litter? It's laziness and untidiness and there's no need for it."

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Officers will confiscate alcohol from anyone causing a disturbance using new powers created by South Kesteven District Council. The move comes as many people telephoned and wrote to the Mercury complaining about the amount of litter left on The Meadows every day.

Mike and Judi Atkinson, of Rutland Terrace, Stamford sent in the photograph above. Mr Atkinson, 65, said: "It is a great shame. The Meadows are an asset to the town and virtually every week, normally weekends, the area is often less in a mess.

"I know people clear it up but it is a chicken and egg situation, if it didn't get messed up, the council would't have to employ anyone to clear it up."

Mr Atkinson said he believed a lot of the litter was drink-related. He said people should dispose of their rubbish sensibly by re-using the bags they used to carry food and drink to The Meadows.

Reader Petula Collier called on people to respect the "jewel" in Stamford's crown.

Miss Collier, a civil servant from St John's Terrace in Radcliffe Road, said some mornings The Meadows looked worse than a rubbish tip, spotting broken bottles and a shopping trolley.

She said: "It is a beautiful town and I feel ashamed taking friends there. Stamford is such a beatiful place to live and we are not respecting it."

The mayor of Stamford Maureen Jalili said the town council, which is responsible for The Meadows, would urge people to bin their rubbish or take it home.

"Summer is coming and we know so many people are going to use The Meadows," she said. "But we ask people to be tidy so as not to impair other' people's enjoyment. Broken glass left lying around can be dangerous with children about. We would urge people to please be considerate."

Stamford town councillor Coun Christine Brough (LibDem) gave up time over the weekend to pick up litter.

The council decided at a meeting on Tuesday to write to secondary schools and the college to ask pupils to behave at The Meadows.

A request for more bins was put forward by Coun Jane Peckett (LibDem).

Police also plan to target people driving erratically in the Cattle Market car park and along Bath Row, issuing warnings that their vehicles could be seized.