Great Yarmouth is enjoying the fresh air that last year’s smoking ban has created in pubs, offices and other public places.

But asking smokers to light-up outside has created a problem with litter, so Great Yarmouth Borough Council is asking people to please take their cigarette stubs with them and not drop them on the ground.

“We don’t want it to sound as if the smokers are being picked on, but we are getting several complaints around the borough where the problem is creating… well hot spots,” said Smoke Free Environment Officer, Marie Chesney.

“Dropping litter is an offence. It does carry an on-the-spot fixed penalty notice of £80, or up to £2,500 if it leads to a prosecution - and that is a lot of money for dropping a fag end.”

Environmental health officers are carrying our random visits to areas where the problem persists, and will hand out fixed penalty notices to offenders.

If you have problems with cigarette litter, contact the customer services team on 01493 856100 or email enquiries@great-yarmouth.gov.uk or the environmental health team on 01493 846686.