Council staff are being urged to report motorists who litter

The council's 4,000 staff received the advice on their payslips.

Magistrates have the power to impose a fine of up to �20,000 and/or six months in prison on offenders or the registered keeper of the car.

Barnsley councillor Margaret Morgan said there was now an army of employees who were keeping an eye out for drivers throwing litter from their vehicles.

She said the council was serious about making Barnsley a cleaner, greener and safer place.

Geoff Birkett, executive director for the council's Environmental Services said: "People in their cars may not think they will be caught if they throw litter out but the council is keen to dispel this myth.

"With 4,000 more eyes and ears in the borough watching out, the chances of getting away with thoughtless behaviour are getting slimmer each day."

A number of drivers in Barnsley have already received �50 fixed penalty notices for littering from their cars.