A snack from McDonald's proved to be a very unhappy meal for one woman.

Charlotte Hows, of Binney Road, Allhallows, wasn't loving it when she was ordered to pay almost £500 for littering.

She dumped a bag of rubbish from the passenger side of a vehicle in Albany Road, Gillingham.

This was reported to the council by a member of the public and a check of the registration showed it belonged to Andrew Snook of St Lukes Way, Allhallows.

He was sent a fixed penalty notice form asking for details of the passenger.

She was identified as Hows. Enforcement officers paid her a visit and issued with a fine of £80.

But no payment was received and the case was sent to Medway Magistrates' Court.

Hows failed to appear to answer the charge of non payment of the penalty.

In her absence, she was fined £200 and ordered to pay costs of £278.31, plus a victim surcharge of £20 – a total of £498.31.

Cllr Peter Hicks (Con), head of community safety at Medway Council, said the council spends almost £4million a year cleaning up litter.

"Throwing litter in a public place is a thoughtless act that shows a lack of regard for others who live in and use the local area," he said.

"Members of the public can help us make Medway a better, cleaner place to live by reporting any selfish acts like this. If we have evidence of littering we will prosecute."