A MOTORIST who threw an empty burger carton from his car as he was passing two street wardens was fined £50 yesterday.

The enforcement officers picked up the litter and chased the man through the Clifton Street area of Middlesbrough.

Their attention had been drawn to him because he had been driving slowly down the road with his stereo playing music loudly.

Once they caught up with him, a £50 fixed penalty notice for littering was issued.

Officer Albert Macauley said: "He seemed a bit stroppy at first, but seemed to accept it with good grace after a while."

Middlesbrough Council's head of community protection, Ed Chicken, said one of the major problems in the town was with people disposing of litter from fast food outlets irresponsibly.

He added: "This may seem like a minor incident, but it drives home the message that we are vigilant and won't tolerate littering in any part of the town.

"Full marks to the officers for spotting this offence and following it up. This was one very costly burger."