Durham smokers pay penalty for litter habit

Smokers have been given on-the-spot fines for dropping cigarette ends on the streets of a County Durham town.

Durham County Council's neighbourhood wardens carried out a two-week campaign in Bishop Auckland in September to clear the town centre of litter.

They issued 20 fixed penalty notices amounting to £1,600 and found that the majority were for dropping cigarette ends.

A council spokesman said cigarettes must be put in the bins provided.