A COUNCIL employee has been issued with a fixed penalty notice by his own colleagues after being snapped tossing a cigarette butt out of his car window.

The unnamed employee works in the Technical Services department of Bournemouth Borough Council which is responsible for the issuing of fixed penalty notices for litter dropping including cigarette butts.

The tip-off comes just weeks after Bournemouth Borough Council announced the start of its anti-smoking campaign.

Council officers are staging a series of roadshows in the borough and visiting businesses to hand out leaflets containing advice on what impact the smoke-free legislation will have on them.

The council has also warned that it will be using CCTV cameras to help detect and prosecute anyone discarding rubbish on the street.

Offenders could face fines of up to £75 and if cases come to court could be ordered to pay prosecution costs.

The scheme involves CCTV operators recording alleged littering incidents and informing the council's enforcement team which carries out regular patrols.

Street enforcement manager Jim Clegg told the Echo: "We're giving a clear message to the public: littering which includes dropping cigarette butts and chewing gum is socially unacceptable."

Nationwide from July 1 people will no longer be able to smoke in enclosed public spaces and the ban is expected to bring about huge change for pubs, clubs and bars in the town, as well as businesses that provide smoking rooms or areas for staff.

Larry Austin, from area manager operations at Bournemouth Borough Council, said: "An employee has received a fixed-penalty notice for a litter offence.

"The council takes any incidences of littering very seriously and will not hesitate to issue penalty notices or even prosecute offenders, no matter who they may be.

"We hope this sends out a strong message to anyone who thinks they will not be caught that we will not tolerate this kind of action.

"The council is working hard to enforce the anti-littering message, particularly in the run-up to the introduction of the smoking ban in enclosed public places from July, when littering of cigarette ends in doorways may become more prevalent.

"A clean and safe environment remains a top priority within our town and if someone reports an offence it will be investigated.