County Durham smokers given portable ashtrays
Smokers in County Durham are being given a helping hand to keep the area clean and free of cigarette butts.
County Council bosses have bought anti-litter pouches, designed for cigarette butts, called 'Stubbi'.
The reusable devices fit into a coat pocket or bag and have a fireproof lining to safely extinguish cigarettes.
Neighbourhood wardens have been carrying out high-profile patrols in Bishop Auckland, Barnard Castle, Crook and Spennymoor.
A council spokesman said: "Throwing away a cigarette end is the same offence as dropping any other type of litter and attracts a fixed penalty notice of £80.
"Millions of cigarette butts are discarded throughout the county every year.
"They are a pollutant to the environment and are costly to remove."