A MONKTON woman has been ordered to pay £120 after she was caught dropping a cigarette end at St Catherine’s Walk, Carmarthen.

Rosie Price, 21, of Gwilliam Court, pleaded guilty by post to an offence contrary to Section 87 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

Carmarthen Magistrates Court heard that council environmental enforcement officers were on patrol at St Catherine’s Walk, Carmarthen town centre, on December 12 when they saw the defendant drop a cigarette end outside Debenhams.

The officers approached her and explained it was an offence to drop litter.

Price agreed to accept a fixed penalty notice but she failed to pay it.

She was fined £50 by magistrates, and ordered to pay £50 towards prosecution costs and a £20 victim surcharge.

Executive board member for environmental and public protection Cllr Jim Jones said: “Cigarette ends are becoming more of a problem on our streets, we try to educate people but if they do not listen then we have no choice but to fine them or prosecute them in court.

“Not only do they make an area look untidy but they are difficult and expensive to clean up as they fall into grates and cracks in the pavement.”

Figures show that around 83% of all litter found on the county’s streets is smoking-related.