THREE women have been fined for dropping their cigarette ends on the ground in Llandovery.

The fixed penalty notices for £75 were issued by environmental enforcement officers who were on patrol in the town at the time.

Failure to pay could result in prosecution in the magistrates court where the maximum fine is £2,500.

A large amount of cigarette ends were found on the streets and further patrols will be carried out.

Executive Board Member for Environmental and Public Protection Cllr Jim Jones said: “Cigarette ends are not only unsightly but they get trapped in cracks in the pavement which means they are not only difficult to clean up but costly too.

“Many people do not think of cigarette ends are litter but they are and there is no excuse for not putting them in the bin.

“We have a zero tolerance for litter in Carmarthenshire and anyone caught dropping ant type of rubbish will be fined.”

Figures show cigarette ends are the most common type of litter found on county streets.