LITTERBUGS are being warned to pay their fines or face a court appearance.

Redcar and Cleveland Council has taken the tough stance after five offenders were successfully prosecuted for refusing to pay their £50 on-the-spot fines.

Councillor Dave McLuckie, Redcar and Cleveland Council's Cabinet Member for Community Protection, said: "Whether it be a cigarette end or a three piece suite, the Council will pursue people who litter our streets, parks and walkways.

"Our Community Protection officers are properly trained and properly warranted to hand out Fixed Penalty Notices and failure to pay these can result in a very expensive ending indeed."

All the cases were proved in the offenders' absence, with each one fined £175 plus at least £50 costs as well as being ordered to pay a £15 victim surcharge.

On Tuesday at Guisborough Magistrates Court, Tracey Hevey, of Sedgeborough Road, Manchester, was fined £175, ordered her to pay £100 costs and the victim surcharge of £15 for discarding a cigarette end in Westgate, Guisborough.

At Teesside Magistrates, on Wednesday, Elaine Murray of Nightingale Road, Middlesbrough, was fined £175, ordered to pay £50 costs and a victim surcharge of £15 for discarding a cigarette end in Lord Street, Redcar.

Danny Drury of Kent Close, Redcar, was fined £175, ordered to pay £100 costs and a victim surcharge of £15 for depositing seven white bags of household waste at the rear of nearby Roseberry Road, Redcar.

Terri-Leigh Ridsdale of Hampden Street, South Bank, was fined £175, ordered to pay £100 costs and a victim surcharge of £15 for depositing 12 black bags, three white bags and a blue bag, all containing household waste, in the alleyway behind her home.

Ben Ash, of High Street, Redcar, was fined £175, ordered to pay £100 costs and a victim surcharge of £15 for discarding a cigarette end on the High Street.