Nearly £3,000 worth of fines have been issued to four litter louts who dropped cigarettes in the town.

Each individual was ordered to pay £370 each, plus a fine of £200 along with a £20 victim surcharge and had to pay costs of £150.

David Kirk, 21 and Amber Stow, 20, of Auden Way in Dover, were both given an Fixed Penalty Notice on Janaury 23 for dropping a cigarette in Biggin Street. They were both found guilty in their absence at at Canterbury Magistrates Court on July 29.

Gary White, 56, of Charlton Green was also found guilty in his absence for dropping a cigarette in Biggin Street on the same day.

Michael McGowan, 40, of New Street, was also found guilty of dropping a cigarette in Worthington Street on January 22.

In each case, Dover District Council took the case to court when the offender failed to pay the Fixed Penalty Notice that had been issued.

Cllr Nicholas Kenton, DDC cabinet member for environment and waste, said: “Cigarette butts are a major cause of litter on our streets and in public areas. Residents consistently tell us that they want more rigorous enforcement, and we will not hesitate to take action when and where ever our officers witness offences.”