THREE people have been fined for dropping litter in Oxford.

The trio were prosecuted by Oxford City Council as part of its Cleaner, Greener campaign.

The initiative was launched in October 2009 and has so far resulted in the handing out of more than 700 fixed penalty notices.

A further 21 people have also been taken to court.

The latest batch of offenders were sentenced at Oxford Magistrates’ Court on February 24 under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

Maria Cooper of Cowley Road, East Oxford, pleaded guilty and was fined £80 and ordered to pay costs of £50.

Pam Aird, of Thames Street, Abingdon, did not appear at court and was fined £100 and ordered to pay costs of £100.

Katherine Spiller, of Temple Street, East Oxford, pleaded guilty and due to a previous conviction was fined £150 and ordered to pay £100 costs.

John Tanner, board member for a cleaner, greener city, said: “I hope people will get the message that we mean business and dropping litter including cigarette butts will not be tolerated.

“Most Oxford people want a clean and tidy city so the message to everyone is take your litter home and dispose of your cigarette ends properly.”