Smokers will be encouraged to put their butts in a bin

Keep Britain Tidy is giving away a quarter of a million free cigarette pouches in the hope smokers will store their butts until they can find a bin.

The move follows the decision to ban smoking in pubs, clubs and restaurants, which campaigners say is likely to force smokers outside.

The wallets come in two styles and are available from Asda tobacco counters.

Ten councils around the UK are also backing the drive by handing out stub wallets and providing more bins.

'Nipping outside'

Alan Woods, chief executive of Keep Britain Tidy, said: "With nowhere to smoke in the pub or the office, smokers are nipping outside for a cigarette.

"With bars and businesses reluctant to provide bins, the result is more flung fag ends, boxes and matches and a bigger council tax tab to clean them up."

Keep Britain Tidy said the pouches, which come in camouflage or leopard skin style, will help curb the amount of litter.

The group has created posters backing the campaign and is also working with manufacturers to offer cheap cigarette bins to businesses.

'Environmental rebels'

New powers under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act enable councils to fine smokers up to �75 for dumping their litter on the streets.

Local Environmental Quality Minister Ben Bradshaw said: "There have been significant reductions in the amount of litter on our streets recently.

"However, smoking litter is an area where a minority of environmental rebels continue to flout the law, dirty our streets and cost councils thousands of pounds in clean-up costs."