FOUR people have been prosecuted by a local authority after refusing to pay litter fines.

Christine Hodgson, Dawn Ashton and Shelley Ashton, of Gerald Street, Benwell, in Newcastle; and Michael Henderson, of Ladykirk Road, Fenham, Newcastle, appeared before Gosforth magistrates after failing to pay fines.

After issuing the fixed penalty notices, Newcastle City Council gave them 14 days to pay the £50 fines.

The cases were referred to the magistrates court after they did not comply.

Each offender received a fine of £100 and was ordered to pay £70 costs.

Councillor Linda Wright, of Newcastle City Council, said: "The council is determined to do all it can to make people responsible for keeping their city clean."