NOT one fine has been issued for cigarette litter in a city centre despite an upsurge in the problem.

Although it launched a campaign to catch offenders, Canterbury City Council now admits its wardens 'find it very difficult’ to spot them in the act.

Yet it admits the amount of smoking-related litter has gone up significantly since the smoking ban in public buildings and the workplace came into force on July 1.

The city council even launched a poster campaign in Canterbury warning of £80 fines for offenders.

But the only penalty tickets issued have been to motorists seen throwing rubbish out of the car windows by wardens who take down the registration numbers.

* Full story in this week's Kentish Gazette.