Mayor swears fines will clean up city

Anybody who drops a cigarette or chewing gum on the pavement or swears in the street during this summer's Athens Olympics will be in danger of being fined £15 on the spot.

Mayor Dora Bakoyannis has announced tough measures in a bid to clean up the Greek capital.

A squad of 500 police officers is being trained to enforce regulations which include fines of £35 for dropping plastic bags and over £1,000 for leaving large amounts of rubbish around.

Athens has spent an extra £25million on equipment to clean its streets and the Greeks, among Europe's heaviest smokers, are also going to have to clean up their mouths.

The swearing fines will target frustrated motorists arguing in the congested city. Passengers will have the right to report taxi drivers for cursing in their cabs.

The new police squad are all learning English as part of their training.

Bakoyannis said: "We are trying to keep Athens clean. People really want to change their city."