Fines for dropping litter in the district are set to almost double to £150, under new proposals being recommended by the city council.

It follows a purge on the menace by the authority which last month revealed that 600 tickets had been issued between December and February, indicating the scale of the problem.

Now new provisions in the Environment Protection Act allow local authorities to increase fines from the current £80 limit.

They will also be able to issue fixed penalty notices for dropping litter from vehicles, which previously could only be enforced through magistrates’ courts.

Council bosses believe heftier fines will act as an even greater deterrent. But they also want to address the high rate of non-payment - currently 30% - by offering a discount for early settlement - much like parking fines.

It would mean an offender would only pay £100 if they paid up within 14 days.

The tougher penalties have been welcomed by the many volunteers who give up their time to pick up litter at weekends.

Chairman of the Canterbury Society, Jan Pahl, said litter and graffiti often made the historic city look “grotty”.

"We have got to get the message out to people that it is really not acceptable and will be punished" - Jan Pahl

"We have got to get the message out to people that it is really not acceptable and will be punished. Being fined £150 for dropping a cigarette butt might seem a lot, but it is the cumulative effect.”

Sian Pettman from the Friends of the Kingsmead Field, who organises regular litter picks, added: “The introduction of fixed penalty notices for littering from vehicles is an excellent proposal as a shocking amount is thrown from vehicles, with apparent impunity."

In a report to members of the council’s community committee next week, officers say: "Littering is an issue for Canterbury and this would send a strong message that it is not tolerated and lead to robust action with further consequences."

The recommendation will go to the council’s policy and resources committee for final approval.