MORE than 150 people have backed a campaign to ban spitting in public in Enfield.

Enfield Council last week appealed for support from residents of the borough to convince the Government to grant a new bye law prohibiting spitting on the streets.

It needs 2,750 signatures to a petition to show there is sufficient public support before the Government will consider stepping in.

Since the campaign launch, 156 have signed an online petition, with more asking for paper copies they can sign.

Councillor Chris Bond, who is spearheading the effort, said the bid had “struck a chord” with the public, and pointed to an online Microsoft poll this week where 46 per cent of people said spitting was the thing they would most like to see banned.

It topped the poll, beating smoking into second place, and follows a YouGov poll earlier this year which said 74 per cent were in favour of a ban.

Cllr Bond, who is cabinet member for environment, said: "It looks like we have struck a chord with the British public who are fed up to the back teeth with slobbish and yobbish behaviour.”

He said the polls will be used to show the strength of feeling, but the council needs more people to sign the petition for any action to be taken.

To sign the petition, you can go to www.enfield.gov.uk or call Mike Ahuja at the council on 0208 379 5044.