ACTION is to be taken to stop prostitution, drug use and rough sleeping in city centre lanes.

The move is part of a strategy which will result in a wide range of improvements to the area.

A city council reports says the network of lanes is a valued and vital part of Glasgow's character and provides an insight into how it was built and evolved.

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But it adds: "Many of these lanes are however affected on a daily basis by rough sleeping, drug use, prostitution and anti-social behaviour which in turn affects the lanes' function with respect to servicing and their overall desirability."

As a result, it is planned to draw up a strategy, develop action plans and carry out improvements.

The report on the City Centre Action Plan highlights the success of a fund which was set up to boost the work of outdoor street artists who are encouraged to access 100% of the cost of a new mural.

A recent work on High Street called St Mungo has received worldwide attention, generation more than 1.25million hits on social media immediately after its launch.

A booklet suggesting a trail people can follow to see the city's murals has also proved popular.

The report says: "Visitors or residents can follow the trail at their leisure, find out more about the artists, the surround area and other attractions.

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"To date over 7000 copies have been distributed and enquiries have been received from all over the world in relation to the trail.

"Volume three, including newly installed artworks, is currently being developed with an online app also in progress.

"The walking tours offered during Doors Open Day were sold out in 2015 and various free, community-led walking tours of the murals are being promoted online."

As part of the action plan, avenues will be created in the city centre and it has been revealed work on the first - Sauchiehall Street between Charing Cross and Rose Street - is due to start early next year.

Pilot street markets at Broomielaw and Brunswick Street proved a "huge success" with over 20,000 people visiting, generating £100,000 for the local economy.

Plans are being drawn up to lease up to five long-term vacant premises in Saltmarket to businesses which want to open pop-up shops.

And council bosses are looking at the possibility of replacing the benches on the city centre pedestrian precincts with traditional benches with Buchanan Street and Argyle Street the first to benefit.

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Bill Beckett, a member of Garnethill community council, called on the city council to adopt the lanes and to introduce better lighting.

He said: "Across the city centre there can be drug and alcohol abuse in the lanes and there is also the question of young girls being raped and attacked.

"We could do with better lighting in the lanes which would help expose individuals prowling up and down them."

Mr Beckett said local people are also concerned about wheelie bins in the lanes being set on fire and an increase in fly-tipping.

Philip Braat, Labour councillor for Anderston/City called on businesses or residents to contact him if they have any problems with lanes near their premises.

He said: "I would like them to tell me about any problem issues so we can get a proper strategy in place.

"There is not a problem with every lane in the city centre but there are a number of hot-spots.

"We are trying to bring some of the lanes back into appropriate use so there is some activity."