AN eye-catching but controversial anti-litter campaign is turning heads and dividing opinion after popping up across the Basildon district.

Posters emblazoned with the words “Don’t be a tosser” have been put up in several locations as part of an anti-litter campaign which aims to warn litterbugs they could get a £75 fine.

The posters have got residents talking, with many torn between thinking the tongue-in-cheek play on words is a brilliant advertising scheme or offensive and inappropriate.

Mum Tracey Breach, of Noak Bridge in Basildon, is concerned her 12 and eight-year-old children may see the posters and start using the word.

She said: “I drove past one of the posters the other day and my initial thought was “Oh no”.

“It is quite humorous and does get the point across about not dropping litter but I don’t want my little ones to see it and have to explain they can’t say it.

“Children do pick up on things and it’s not something I would like them to say.”

She added: “As an adult it is quite amusing, it’s a good play on words but I don’t want them to think it’s an acceptable term.”

However, others believe the posters, which have been put up in Eastmayne, Basildon, London Road in Wickford, High Road in Pitsea and Billericay HIgh Street, are all in good fun.

Retired teacher Gillian Hough, 60, of Brightside, Billericay, said: “I think it makes it quite clear it is talking about dropping litter.

“It’s quite clever as it does stick in your mind and you might think its offensive to start with but when you see the picture and work it out it’s clear.

“You would remember it!”

Andrew Allen, 23, from Basildon, agrees; he said: “It makes you chuckle and I think it will make people take a second and think.

“The more people notice it the more they pay attention.”

Phil Turner, leader of Basildon Council, hopes the campaign will make people think twice about throwing litter.

He said: “I think it might rub some people up the wrong way but the advert has done its job, its made people think.

“There is a litter problem, there’s no denying it, but we luckily have some very dedicated people who clear up the rubbish.

“But littering has to be stopped.

“It’s not a nice word but maybe it will bring the message home to people more.”