SATURDAY night became £80 more expensive for smokers who threw their cigarette butts on the ground.

Eleven litter bugs who discarded their cigarette ends when they had a quick puff outside pubs and clubs in Maidstone were stopped by officials and slapped with £80 fixed penalty notices for litter offences.

The action was part of an operation by police, Maidstone council and other bodies to tackle drug misuse and anti-social behaviour in the town centre on Saturday.

Two men were arrested for possession of cocaine and one man was given a street caution for possession of cannabis.

The two arrested men were later released with a police caution.

Thirty-six vehicles were stopped and 12 prohibition notices issued, which warned drivers to get faults on their cars fixed or risk having them seized by police.