SMOKERS are being targeted in a drive to stamp out litter.

Ashtrays have been fitted to the tops of about 40 litter bins in Hartlepool town centre to encourage people to put out cigarettes responsibly.

The move reflects statistics showing that cigarette butts account for the vast majority of all litter in town centres across the country.

Cigarette ends are a particular problem because they are not biodegradable, with filters taking up to 12 years to disintegrate.

Craig Thelwell, Hartlepool Borough Council's neighbourhood enforcement manager, said: "We are determined to reduce the amount of cigarette-related litter in Hartlepool, and we hope these new ashtrays will encourage smokers to dispose of their cigarettes sensibly."

He warned that enforcement action would also continue to be taken, and smokers caught dropping their cigarette ends on the ground could receive £75 fixed penalty fines.

The ashtrays initiative is costing about £4,000.

, may be extended to other parts of the town if it proves successful.

Look closely at any section of footpath, particularly in the town centre, and you are likely to find numerous cigarette ends littering the ground.