If smokers fail to use pocket ashtrays they will be fined �50

Fife council is cracking down on smokers whose cigarette butts litter doorways and shelters.

As part of an anti-litter strategy, council wardens are issuing personal pocket ashtrays to smokers and fines to those who fail to use them.

An official said cigarette butts have blighted towns since the smoking ban was introduced in Scotland in March.

David Wilson, technical officer for Fife Council and behind the campaign, said that environmental wardens were now patrolling Kirkcaldy, Leven, and Burntisland.

New litter bins with specially-designed compartments for cigarette butts have also been installed in Kirkcaldy High Street.

With the new bins and handy pocket ashtrays, people really shouldn't have an excuse for dropping cigarette ends David Wilson Fife Council

Mr Wilson said: "The significant number of people witnessed dropping cigarette litter is disappointing.

"For many smokers it has been the habit of a lifetime to discard their cigarette butts on the road or pavement without any thought of the consequences to the amenity of the local environment.

"With the new bins and handy pocket ashtrays, people really shouldn't have an excuse for dropping cigarette ends.

"It really doesn't look pleasant and I hope people will take notice and start to take a bit more consideration of their local environment."

The amount of cigarette butts being discarded from moving vehicles has also come under the spotlight from the wardens.

Fife Council's environmental services department has a link to the DVLA National Database which means it is possible to track down registered keepers from the vehicle's registration plate.