A COUNCIL has backed down after one of its litter police issued a fine to a cigarette butt dropper on private land despite the owner telling them to keep off .

Angela Collinson from Darwen was spotted dumping her fag end on the ground at the M65 Junction Four Blackburn services by an officer of Kingdom Environmental Enforcement Services .

He issued her a £75 Fixed Penalty Notice, angering her fiance Mick Riley who contacted site owners the Extra MSA Group.

It replied that the company had previously informed Blackburn with Darwen Council, who employed Kingdom to tackle littering in October, to keep off their property.

The enforcement officers are legally allowed to issue on-the-spot fines on private land unless the owner refuses permission.

Earlier this month it was revealed the overwhelming majority of littering fines (4,000) issued by Kingdom were for dropping cigarette ends.

Mr Riley, a 39-year-old security guard from Rishton, said: "We parked up in the actual car-park.

"I went to discard our litter and found almost every bin was jammed full of rubbish. Nonetheless, I managed to fit it all in.

"My partner was smoking outside my car and stupidly dropped her cigarette end on the ground.

"When I was reversing, a red Vauxhall stopped behind me.

"A man got out and informed us that we were being fined for litter dropping. My partner got out straight away, picked up the cigarette end and proceeded to throw it in the bin, although the £75 fine still stood.

"My partner was forced to submit her name and address in the middle of the busy car-park.

"I emailed Extra and they said that it was their land and have previously told the council not to operate on their property and do not endorse it to issue fines on their property.

"When challenged, the council backed down and revoked the fine. How many people have been wrongfully fined for dropping litter in these premises?"

Miss Collinson, a 35-year-old blogger, said: "I was totally humiliated.

" I should not have dropped the cigarette butt but there was no common sense shown.

"How could they be operating and land they had been told to keep away from? It's just wrong.

"I know of at least one other person who had their fine revoked for doing the same thing in the same place."

Blackburn with Darwen Council Environment boss Cllr Jim Smith said: "The officer made a mistake.I apologise to the couple but hope Miss Collinson will dispose of her cigarette butts properly in future."

Extra MSA had no comment.

Cllr Smith said:"Extra MSA cannot tip in and out of the council's services. If someone fly-tips a load on rubbish on their property in future, the company will have to clear it up as they have asked us to keep off their land."