Litter bugs who don’t use the bins in Dover might get the message that it is not acceptable after two people had to pay a hefty fine.

In each case, Dover District Council took court action when the offenders failed to pay the fixed penalty notices issued to them.

Natalie Baxter, of Station Road, Lyminge, was caught discarding a cigarette in the Biggin Street area on October 7, last year.

At a case heard in her absence by Canterbury magistrates on April 15, she was found guilty and fined £200, with £150 costs and a £20 victim surcharge.

In a second case also heard at Canterbury on April 15, Samuel Cooper, of Densole Way, Folkestone, pleaded guilty to depositing litter and was fined £75. He was also ordered to pay costs of £25 and a £20 victim surcharge.

A Dover District Council environmental enforcement officer saw Cooper discard a cigarette end into a puddle in Pencester Gardens, Dover, on November 4, last year.

Environmental enforcement officers patrol the district seven days a week and have powers to issued fixed penalties.

For more information, or to report a problem area, see www.dover.gov.uk/litter or phone 01304 872289.