The leader of Brent Council donned a high powered jet wash to kick off a new week of action aimed at tackling areas plagued with paan in the borough.

The council is teaming up with other partners including the police and the voluntary sector to highlight the health dangers caused by chewing paan, a tobacco popular in the Asian community, and the support available to enable users to quit.

Users of paan, a tobacco, leave a distinctive orange stain on pavements by spitting the substance out on the street. In the next seven days grot spots Wembley Central and Sudbury wards will undergo a deep clean.

Town hall bosses will also host a wide range of activities, working alongside residents and police and volunteers, as part of a greater programme to tackle issues in the two wards.

Participating resident will be entered into a prize draw to win £25 worth of shopping vouchers if they take part.

Cllr Muhammed Butt, council leader, said: “We listen to all local residents and, through our Week of Action programme, we will focus on tackling the key local issues that have been raised in particular wards.

He continued: “We encourage local people to get actively involved in the programme. There will also be extra opportunities to meet with councillors and council staff face to face and tell us what matters most to residents in the areas where they live.”

The week of action lasts until August 2.

For more information, visit: www.brent.gov.uk/weekofaction