Smokers are given ashtray warning

Offenders will be fined £50 from the start of the new year

Drivers in north Kent are to be sent warning letters and miniature ashtrays if they are spotted throwing cigarette ends out of their car windows.

The Swale Borough Council scheme has been described as a friendly gesture before fines are imposed from January.

Smokers dropping butts on the ground will also be given the free ashtrays.

It is part of the Clean Kent - Clean Swale Campaign, which will see about 50 cigarette litter bins on the streets.

Environmental response manager, Pete Tonge, said enforcement officers would issue the "small disposal bins" until the new year, when offenders would then be fined £50.

He said a "zero tolerance attitude" would then be in force.