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Smokers who drop cigarette butts in the City of London face an £80 fine in a new crackdown on litter.

Every day about 7,000 cigarette butts are dropped in the City. They are accompanied by lighters, matches and cellophane wrappers.

Now 10 environment officers will be prowling - and issuing the fines to irresponsible smokers. Those who give false details will be fined £1,000.

Keep Britain Tidy described dropping butts as "lazy and disgusting".

Chief executive Phil Barton said: "Cigarette litter looks terrible and is turning our streets into a giant ashtray.

"Clearly, many smokers have yet to be convinced that their cigarette stubs are litter, so they need to get a personal ashtray or use the bins provided."

He added: "There can be no excuse for throwing cigarette butts on the ground. It's lazy and disgusting."

Philip Everett, director of environmental services at the City of London, said: "We're taking a tough line on people who litter our streets.

"We expect this campaign to have an impact on people's behaviour, if not their purses and wallets when they are caught."

Do you think this scheme is fair? Email us at BBC London