For shopkeeper Yvonne Froud, there are few things worse in life than a litterbug.

But now the post office owner believes she has devised cunning a scheme to dish out her own sweet revenge on litter bugs.

For if you buy some sweets at Yvonne's shop now, your name will be marked on the wrappers. And if she finds a wrapper with that name on it rattling around Joys Green Post Office in the Forest of Dean, you'll be banned.

"About three weeks ago I was walking around the village and was so disgusted by the litter that I thought something had to be done about it," the 52-year-old said yesterday.

"When kids come in to buy their drinks and sweets we now put their names on the back of the packets or get them to do it and then if we find the packets around the village we know who it belongs to."

The names are put on any sweets or drink bought from the store in Rocks Road with permanent marker pen and anyone found littering has to face up to the consequences.

"If any of the packets are found on the streets we either give them a limited ban from the shop, usually for a couple of days, or they have to go on a litter pick in the village.

"I will have to do it with adults too if they start littering too."

She also gave local children an incentive to clean up the town with children aged under 11 being given an Easter egg for helping in a village litter pick.

Mum Laura Stacey, from Joys Green, said: "I think it is a really good idea because if litter is left then you know who it is that has dropped it. It is good for the kids to know not to litter and it is good for the area."

Children in the village are getting the message and are putting their litter in the bin, so's not to get caught and have to clear up.

Ollie Williams, aged eight, said: "I have to put the packets in the bin because it has my name on it."

Meanwhile six-year-old Ashton Brisland said: "I think it is a good idea because I know that when I have finished I have to put it in the bin now or I have to clean up litter."