A COUNCIL is cracking down on smokers who leave their litter on the street and pavements after communities raised concerns.

Offenders in the Moray area are facing £80 fines after the ban on smoking indoors meant that where once smokers would stub out their cigarettes in bars, clubs and cinema, they are now smoking outside and leaving their debris on the ground.

The council says that community groups in its towns and villages are increasingly raising their concerns about the amount of discarded cigarette packers, cigarette butts and spent matches in the streets, particularly outside licensed premises..

The campaign will begin next Monday and will involve Moray Council's community wardens and recycling assistants who will carry out patrols.

Those caught dropping cigarette ends face an £80 fixed penalty for littering.

The council's anti-social behaviour co-ordinator, Andy Jamieson, said: "This initiative has two elements, the first being education and the second enforcement.

"It is being supported by the Moray Licensed Trade Association, whose members are happy to display publicity material within their premises."

Councillor Eric McGillivray, who chairs Moray Council's communities committee, said: "Due to the number of complaints about cigarette ends, the anti-social behaviour service has decided to try to educate offenders about the harm being caused to the environment.

"However, the community wardens will also be following this up by enforcement and issuing fixed penalties to offenders."