LITTERBUGS in Thanet will be issued with fixed penalty notices similar to parking fines. The area’s town wardens have been authorised as part of the Cleaner Thanet Campaign to hand out the notices to anyone seen dropping litter and rubbish.

If the £25 fine is not paid within 14 days, the culprit will face prosecution at the magistrate’s court. Cllr Mike Harrison , cabinet member for environmental services, said: “Most people use public litter bins and dispose of their rubbish properly. The area is spoilt by the minority and the council has to spend a lot of money clearing up after them.

“ We are grateful for those that still care enough to do things correctly, but we all pay the price for those who don’t.” Town wardens will continue their primary role that is to help and advise members of the public.

Over the next few months, the council is informing householders about rubbish storage and collection with the message “Right Place on the Right Day” asking that rubbish is left out at the front of their property on collection day.

With the exception of a few properties that have no front garden and who are allowed to use the pavement, no rubbish must be placed on the street itself, beside litter bins, in alleys, on the highway or private land. Offenders can be issued with fixed penalty notices or prosecuted with a fine of up to £1,000 possible.

The KM Thanet extra is media sponsor of the Cleaner Thanet Campaign.