A recycling company has been fined hundreds of pounds for littering Medway’s roads.

Essex-based Waste-A-Way Recycling was fined £600 by Medway Magistrates after Strood residents saw one of their lorries leaving a trail of rubbish along the Wainscott Bypass.

The eagle-eyed residents telephoned the council and gave witness statements that led to the successful prosecution by the Council’s Environmental Enforcement Team.

Rubbish, including paper and plastic cartons, was seen to spill from one of Waste-A-Way’s vehicles on two separate occasions on November 8 and 16 2007.

Waste-A-Way was prosecuted under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. The company did not enter a plea and did not attend the court.

Cllr Rehman Chishti, portfolio holder for community safety and enforcement, said: “Let this be a warning to any commercial vehicle operator that they are expected to comply with the law and secure their loads correctly.

“The council will not tolerate rubbish being strewn along the roads and verges in this way and will take action against anyone found doing it.

"I urge anyone spotting incidents of this kind to report it to the council.”

Reports can be made by calling 01634 333333 or emailing environmentalenforce@medway.gov.uk