BURY Council has issued its first fine for littering - after a female motorist was seen throwing a piece of rubbish from a car.

Danielle Hughes, of Meadowcroft, Radcliffe, has paid the £50 fixed penalty notice issued to her following a council investigation.

Council Environmental Health Officer Melanie Walsh had spotted a woman throwing litter from the driver's window of a car travelling along Bolton Road, Bury on May 4.

After a check with DVLA, Hughes was served a notice at her home.

Councillor John Byrne, the council's Executive Member for Environment and Transport, said: "This is a significant first for the borough and one which everyone should celebrate.

"No longer can people feel free to litter without the fear that they may be spotted, tracked down and issued with a fixed penalty notice. Throwing litter out of a car window is one of the most odious of envirocrimes with little regard for the area the culprit is driving through or for fellow motorists or other road users.

"Of course, this is not just about drivers but anyone on our streets and town centres who feels they can litter.

"Our strong message to these people is that if you have litter use a nearby bin or dispose of your rubbish at home - use the street and we will fine you."

Members of the council's Executive were on Wednesday night discussing how to adapt and implement wide-ranging new powers to tackle 'envirocrimes' across the borough, but the council is likely to beef up its whole approach, building on recent campaigns and prosecutions for fly-tipping.