Three people have been fined for dropping cigarette butts in Morecambe Town Centre and ordered to pay a total of £510 by a court.

As part of a crackdown in June by Lancaster City Council, 75 people were issued with £80 fixed penalty notices for dropping cigarette butts and litter in the Lancaster district.

Melissa Tubbs, of Redruth Drive, Carnforth, failed to pay the fine. She did not appear in court and the case was heard in her absence. Tubbs was ordered to pay a £175 fine, £60 costs, and £15 victim surcharge.

Anthony Hellier of Palatine Avenue, Lancaster was also fined £75 and ordered to pay £100 costs and £15 victim surcharge after failing to appear in court.

Joanne Thorpe of Poulton Road, Morecambe pleaded guilty to littering and failing to provide her name and address, and was given a conditional discharge for six months and ordered to pay £70 costs.

Coun Jon Barry, Cabinet member with responsibility for the environment, said: “One of Lancaster City Council’s key priorities is to make our district a cleaner and healthier place to live.

“We hope these cases show that we are more than willing to pursue litter offenders through the courts in order to keep our district clean and tidy.”

Anyone who drops litter is liable to an £80 on the spot fine if caught by a member of council staff, a Police Community Support Officer, or even a member of the public.

• Anybody who witnesses someone dropping litter should contact the city council’s customer service centre on 01524 582491.