Three residents of Dover and Deal have racked up a bill of more than £1,000 after dropping litter in the district.

David Gina, 24, of Folkestone Road, Dover was spotted by one of the council’s environmental officers dropping a cigarette in a car park area of Elms Vale Park.

John Butterworth, 21, of Clarendon Street, Dover, was seen dropping a can of drink in a car park.

Demi-Louise Price, 21, of Courtenay Road, Deal was seen dropping a cigarette end from the window of a car in Sandown Road.

Each offender was issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice of £75, but did not pay up.

They have now been fined an extra £370 each, following prosecutions heard at Canterbury Magistrates Court yesterday.

All three failed to attend and were found guilty in their absence of an offence of dropping litter.

Their fines were made up of £200, a £20 victim surcharge and costs of £150.

Environmental enforcement officers patrol the district seven days a week and have powers to issue fixed penalties as part of a strict approach to enforcement.

To report a problem area, see: www.dover.gov.uk/litter or call: 01304 872428.