The fine has been increased to �50

The Scottish Executive announced plans to double the �25 fine prior to the Holyrood elections.

That move followed a review of litter and fly-tipping legislation north of the border.

The larger financial penalty brings Scotland into line with England and Wales.

To really tackle litter we need to produce less packaging in the first place, improve recycling facilities, and introduce measures such as a plastic bag tax Mark Ruskell Scottish Greens

Environment Minister Ross Finnie went onto the streets of Edinburgh with council environmental wardens to highlight the tougher penalties.

The minister also warned that the executive would be looking at further ways of enforcing action against offenders.

He said: "The Scottish Executive is committed to tackling the scourge of littering.

"Through the consultation paper 'Putting Communities First' launched last Thursday we are looking to tighten enforcement of litter laws.

"Littering is unacceptable. Doubling the fixed penalty fine shows we are cracking down on this anti-social behaviour."

However Mark Ruskell, environment spokesperson for the Scottish Greens, said tougher penalties were not enough.