England's streets are getting cleaner but there is much more to do, according to a wide-ranging survey on the state of our streets published today.

The survey, carried out by environmental campaign group EnCams, measures the quality of our local environment and shows that overall, the number of areas deemed good or satisfactory has increased.

But it also shows certain types of litter are growing. Compared with 2001/2 figures, the number of areas found with sweet wrappers increased by 19 per cent and those where snack packaging is found grew by 18 per cent while dumped drink cans have increased by 34 per cent.

Nearly 12,000 sites, divided into 12 land types from council estates to industrial areas across England, were measured as part of the report.

Overall, standards have improved by four per cent since last year - 44 per cent of areas were deemed good or satisfactory while just four per cent were rated poor.

Parks, picnic areas, rural roads and leafy-lane housing estates were the cleanest places while high density neighbourhoods were among the dirtiest locations surveyed.

The survey also found the cleanest place was the east of England nine points above the south east. But London came bottom of the table, despite the hard work of its local authorities.

Margaret Beckett, Secretary of State for Environment said: "This survey provides important evidence showing where clean-up action is needed and where resources should be targeted."

"I'm pleased the overall picture has improved on last year but everyone needs to recognise that more needs to be done and can be done by central government and local authorities within existing resources."

"That is why the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Bill being considered by Parliament at the moment is so important. It will give the tools local authorities need to help stamp out this sort of anti-social behaviour."