Smokers have been ordered to stump up more than £6,000 after being caught dropping cigarette butts at service stations and car parks.

In total, eight offenders were spotted littering across the Medway Towns and hit with fixed penalty notices.

The offences took place between February and March this year.

All eight cases were heard at Medway Magistrates’ Court on October 15, leading to a collective bill of £6,272 for failing to pay.

The cases, which were proved in absence, were:

- Mark Allinson, 46, of Newington Road, Ramsgate was ordered to pay £784 after failing to pay a fixed penalty notice after they were seen dropping a cigarette butt at Medway Services, Gillingham on March 4

- Michelle Brown, 45, of Sealand Drive, Rochester was ordered to pay £784 after failing to pay a fixed penalty notice after they were seen dropping a cigarette butt on a car park on Best Street, Chatham on March 11

- Martin Cocksedge, 57, of Thorold Road, Chatham was ordered to pay £784 after failing to pay a fixed penalty notice after they were seen dropping a cigarette butt on Military Road, Chatham on March 13

- Daryl Harrison, 36, of Robson Drive, Aylesford was ordered to pay £784 after failing to pay a fixed penalty notice after they were seen dropping a cigarette butt on Courtney Road, Gillingham on March 14

- Mathew Latto, 46, of Oak Lane, Sittingbourne was ordered to pay £784 after failing to pay a fixed penalty notice after they were seen dropping a cigarette butt on Railway Street, Chatham on March 19

- Lewys Rogers, 31, of Vincent Gardens, Sheerness was ordered to pay £784 after failing to pay a fixed penalty notice after they were seen dropping a cigarette butt in a car park in Rainham on February 28.

- Leah Shearer, 54, of Chatham Hill, Chatham was ordered to pay £784 after failing to pay a fixed penalty notice after they were seen dropping a cigarette butt on Courtney Road, Gillingham on February 29

- Owen Woolway, 22, of Tovey Square, Gillingham was ordered to pay £784 after failing to pay a fixed penalty notice after they were seen dropping a cigarette butt on Courtney Road, Gillingham on March 5

Medway Council says its contracted litter enforcement agents patrol across the Towns, including in the area’s high streets, greenspaces, supermarket car parks and other areas which have high levels of littering.

Cllr Alex Paterson, Portfolio Holder for Community Safety, Highways and Enforcement, said: “Our message is very clear - if you are caught dropping your rubbish in Medway you will be fined, and if you ignore your fine we will pursue prosecution.

“So many people across Medway work hard to keep it clean and tidy, and most of us play our part by making sure we put our rubbish in a bin or take it home with us. We won’t let those who break the rules get away with it.

“Littering will not be tolerated here.”

To reduce the risk of harm from smoking, residents who want to stub out the habit for good are encouraged to get in touch with Medway Council’s Stop Smoking Service. To find out more, click here. To report littering click here.

The Environmental Protection Act 1990 allows for authorised officers to issue fixed penalty notices on any land the public has access to.