A WEST CRAVEN parking attendant has been fined after dropping litter whilst on duty in Nelson.

Andrew Black, from Nelson, appeared at Reedley Magistrates' Court last week and was fined £100 for dropping the litter.

He pleaded guilty to an offence of littering in Nelson on 21 July 2007. Pendle Borough Council told the court it had evidence from three witnesses that Mr Black threw a strip of paper from the back of a fixed penalty notice envelope on to the ground.

Mr Black, however, said the paper blew out of his hand and he was unable to retrieve it because he was dealing with the driver of the vehicle concerned.

I am particularly disturbed and surprised that someone in a responsible position of enforcing other regulations should consider himself able to flout ours

John David - Pendle Borough Council

He was given a fixed penalty of £50 for the littering offence in August 2007, but he did not pay it. Last week he was fined £100 plus £70 costs, which the court ordered should be deducted from his wages.

As a result of the case going to court, Mr Black will now have to pay more than three times the original fixed fine imposed.

Coun John David, who speaks up for the Environment in Pendle, said : "This latest case just goes to show that we will prosecute anyone and everyone we see dropping litter in Pendle - no matter who they are or who they work for!

"I am particularly disturbed and surprised that someone in a responsible position of enforcing other regulations should consider himself able to flout ours!

"In this instance the offence was brought to our attention by some very public spirited residents who have been willing to give statements.

"We are extremely grateful to them for their help in furthering our determination to make Pendle a cleaner, greener and safer place.

"Our enforcement officers work tirelessly to make sure that the tiny minority of people who spoil the place for the rest of us are punished.

"And the fine has gone up - the Council agreed to increase the fine for dog fouling and littering to £75, which should be even more of a deterrent to people who don't keep Pendle tidy."

If you see anyone dropping litter in Pendle, you can report them to the Council by calling (01282) 661743. You can even report them online at www.pendle.gov.uk/cleanergreenersafer