Smokers fined for throwing butts

Nineteen people were fined for throwing cigarette ends

People who throw cigarette ends and other litter out of car windows are being targeted by a Lancashire council.

A total of 93 people were each fined £75 for dropping litter in West Lancs last year - 19 of those had thrown rubbish out of a moving car's window.

The district council said one man was caught twice throwing cigarette stubs from his mother's car in Ormskirk.

Other cases included people discarding bin bags of rubbish or breaking rules on disposing household waste.

The offenders were caught either on the council's CCTV system, by the council's street scene officers, by the environmental health team or by police community support officers.

Councillor Martin Forshaw of West Lancashire District Council, said: "These figures show our commitment to improving the environment for our residents.

"Our street scene officers undertake an important role and the public should be aware that depositing rubbish out of a car window or on the streets can lead to us taking action against them.

"I would urge people to think twice before dumping their waste and take pride in their neighbourhood."