Littering can seriously damage your bank balance

Dropping litter in Rochdale borough can be a costly business, as eight people found to their cost this week.

At Rochdale Magistrates Court, four defendants pleaded guilty by post and four cases were proved in the absence of the defendant.

All the defendants were charged under section 87(1) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

James Bower of Concorde View Road, Rotherham, Simon Howarth of Alfred Street, Bury, and James Conlon of Pershore, Falinge Flats, Rochdale each received a £75 fine, Kerry McMahon of Heathbank Road, Blackley received a fine of £85, and each had costs awarded against them.

Amir Abbas of Yarrow Close, Rochdale, Peter Smedley of Mitchell Hey Flats, Rochdale, Katherine James of The Brook, Lower Calderbrook, Littleborough and Imran Khan, age 20 of Oswald Street, Rochdale whose cases were proved in their absence, were each fined £100 and had costs awarded against them.

Cabinet member for Environment amp; Sustainability, Councillor Wera Hobhouse said: "These cases, together with the Council's recent campaign to highlight the fines payable by anyone who litters, drive home the message that dropping litter, even a cigarette, is unacceptable.

"Rochdale Council will continue to take firm action against people who are spoiling the borough's appearance. There are simply no excuses, dispose of your litter properly."