PEOPLE are now being warned that they could be fined £2,500 in a new crackdown on yobs who throw litter from their vehicles.

Council bosses said they are taking a strong stance on the problem after a rise in the ‘disgraceful’ incidents.

Five hotspot sites have been identified, where takeaway wrappers, cans and other rubbish are routinely dumped.

Coun Brian Roberts, chair of the Hyndburn Community Safety Partnership, said: ” We are taking a tough stance on people who thoughtlessly throw rubbish from their vehicles.

“Signs are being erected at particular hot spots warning motorists that they can be fined a maximum of £2,500 for littering our highways.

“Thousands of bags of litter are collected each year from our roads at huge cost to the public. Much of this is hurled from cars, vans and lorries and ends up stuck in hedges or piled high at traffic lights.”

He said currently a crew of workers complete a monthly route to clear the sites.

Now they will be patrolled by enforcement officers, with offenders being taken to court where a maximum fine is £2,500.

Hot spots include Dunkenhalgh Way, Clayton-le-Moors, New Lane Oswaldtwistle and also Lottice Lane, Oswaldtwistle.

Coun Judith Addison said: “Throwing litter from a car is disgusting and turns our roadsides into a dumping ground.”