‘"I KEEP the road sweepers in a job" was one of the audacious excuses offered to council inspectors as they tackled people dropping litter.

Waste enforcement officers from South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse district councils are heading out to a series of events starting next week, where they will meet the public to discuss littering.

And as they begin their two-month mission, they have put together a list of the top 10 excuses given to them by people caught in the act.

These ranged from "I didn’t think a cigarette butt was litter" and "It was already littered so won’t matter if I add some more" to "I’d have to walk all the way over to the bin".

Some tried to play innocent to justify their actions, saying: "I didn’t know you could be fined for dropping litter".

Despite the excuses, all litterers were ordered to pay an £80 fixed penalty.

If litterers refuse to pay the fine, they can be prosecuted and, if found guilty, face higher penalties.

Councillor Jenny Hannaby, cabinet member for housing and environment at Vale of White Horse

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District Council, said: “There are no excuses for littering.

“It is so unnecessary. Is it so hard to find a bin when you have finished your food or drink in the street?

“Even if it is, then what is stopping you taking your litter back to your work or home and putting it in the bin there?

“Littering is an offence and we fine people when they are caught.”

The first anti-littering event will be at Thame Market on Tuesday, from 8.45am until 2.15pm.

Top 10 excuses given by people caught littering

1. I didn’t think a cigarette butt was litter

2. It was already littered so won't matter if I add some more

3. I didn't know it was against the law

4. I didn't know you could be fined for dropping litter

5. I'd have to walk all the way over to the bin

6. I keep the road sweepers in a job

7. You go and stop others first, then I will stop

8. It's bio-degradable

9. I couldn’t see a bin

10. There are no signs about not littering

All of the people who gave these excuses were given a Fixed Penalty Notice and an £80 fine