DO NOT drop cigarette butts or risk facing a fine – that’s the message from Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council as part of a litter bug crackdown.

The borough council’s community safety patrollers are to issue on-the-spot fines of £75 to anyone seen dropping their cigarette butts in and around Basingstoke town centre.

Not only does it blight the borough’s appearance but it costs money to clean up, the council said.

As part of the campaign against litter louts, the community safety patrol officers will also contact local businesses and employers to encourage their customers and staff to dispose of cigarettes responsibly.

The council’s deputy leader, Councillor Ranil Jayawardena, said: “It is ‘no ifs, no butts’: it is not acceptable for people to drop their litter, including cigarettes, on our streets.

“That’s why we are fining people for doing this, sending a clear message that we will not allow a small number of people to spoil the town for everyone else.”

Since taking over the management of the community safety patrol officers, the council has established a programme of campaigns which started with a crackdown on litter in Basingstoke town centre and Basingstoke Leisure Park.

The cigarette butt campaign will be followed by action on other issues including dog fouling and littering in parks.

The borough council is also seeking views on whether smokers should be discouraged from lighting up in and near play areas.

The survey includes a question on whether there should be a voluntary ban on smoking in and within ten metres of children’s play areas in the borough.