Litter louts in Telford will have to fork out £75 for dropping crisp packets and cigarette butts after council bosses increased the fine.

Telford & Wrekin Council has increased the fixed penalty notice from £50 for littering and graffiti under new legislation.

The move comes after almost 100 people in Telford were slapped with fines for dropping litter this year.

Councillor Miles Hosken, cabinet member for the environment, said the fine had been increased in a bid by Telford & Wrekin Council to keep the area clean and green.

“The council team and Telford Police community support officers have issued nearly 100 fixed penalty notices to litterers this year,” he said.

“This, and the increased fine levels, show that we are committed to keeping our borough clean and green and will not tolerate people who spoil it with litter and graffiti.

“We hope that by increasing the fines, the minority who think nothing of throwing their litter on the floor and expecting someone else to pick it up for them, will think twice and put their litter in a bin like everyone else.”

The increase also includes a new early payment rate, which will be £50 if the fine is paid within 10 days. Fine amounts have been introduced for failing to comply with street litter control and litter clearing notices. Firms that fail to produce waste transfer documentation can be fined £300.