Arsenal have signed up to a government initiative to reduce the amounts of litter which generate in streets surrounding Highbury on matchdays. The Sweeper Zone (geddit?) project, launched by environment minister Michael Meacher, is a bid to 'get tough on takeaways who fail to keep their premises, and the area around them, clean.'

And how, pray, do they plan to enforce this zero-tolerance litter message? Mr Meacher reveals: 'The Sweeper Zone scheme will measure the extent of the litter problem around football grounds and encourage fans to use a bin. It will mean anti-litter messages on bins on the way into Arsenal's ground, staff getting involved in community clean up campaigns and players such as Lee Dixon and Sol Campbell promoting the message.'

The Dept of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs hopes that football clubs will set a positive example to their fans and the rest of the community.