FOUL and abusive language in public must not be tolerated and action must be taken against anyone who uses it.

That's the message from cabinet member for citizenship in Deal, Cllr Julie Rook, after an 18-year-old man from the town vowed to fight a fine for swearing.

Kurt Walker, of Blenheim Road, Deal, is refusing to pay a £80 on-the-spot penalty from a police officer who heard him swearing to a friend.

Mr Walker, who does voluntary work and helps out at a youth club, described the fine as absurd. The case is now likely to go to court.

Mr Walker said he was talking to friends in a park and, when asked what he had been up to, had used a swear word in his response.

The action by police has sparked a mixed reaction but Cllr Mrs Rook said that foul and abusive language should not be tolerated in public.

"I do not want my children hearing this kind of language when they are in the park and I am sure most parents feel this way," she said.

"This abusive language should not be used as part of everyday conversation and nobody should have to be subjected to it."

Cllr Mrs Rook added that a stand had to be taken against anyone who behaved like that in public.

Town councillor Ben Bano was disturbed when he heard about the fine. He said: "It is one thing to use bad language in front of young children with intent to offend but it is quite another to use it with your friends and family.

"Many people in Deal would be guilty of a similar offence. While I do not condone anti-social behaviour, I strongly believe that there is a serious danger of eroding our human rights by using police powers in this way."

Cllr Bano said it would be interesting to see the outcome of the forthcoming court hearing.

A police spokesman confirmed that Mr Walker was issued with a £80 fixed penalty notice for swearing in public, an offence under the Public Order Act.

He added: "Fixed Penalty Notices were introduced by the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 and provide officers with an additional tool with which to tackle anti-social behaviour.

"People have 28 days to decide whether to pay their fine or to have their case considered by a court."