A woman responsible for a staggering 69% of complaints about dumped rubbish in one area of Ramsgate faces immediate arrest if she litters again.

In the first case of its kind in Kent, Jayne Royle was served with a local authority criminal behaviour order for repeatedly dropping waste in people's gardens, parks and open spaces in the town's central harbour ward.

Thanet council handed her the order - which means she faces being taken into custody if she does it again - after the authority concluded she was causing "considerable distress" to neighbours.

It is believed that just a handful of these orders have been issued in the whole country since the new legislation came into force in 2015.

Over time, Royle, of Grange Road, had been issued various warnings and fines to try and put a stop to her behaviour.

This evidence enabled Thanet magistrates to issue an order to prevent the anti-social behaviour happening again.

The council's street scene enforcement, community safety and legal teams worked together to obtain the order.

Cllr Lin Fairbrass, cabinet member for community services, said: “The scale of the behaviour displayed by this individual, over such a significant period of time, is simply unacceptable and shows a complete disrespect for other residents living nearby.

"The dedication of the teams at the council who were involved in this case - in particular, their persistence to resolve the problem - has certainly paid off!

"I hope that those affected by this behaviour are reassured that the significant result is due to our team’s commitment to take strong and appropriate action when it is needed.”