THOUSANDS of smokers have today been warned by litterbug enforcers: "Don't lob your fag ends out of the car window."

The hard-hitting message follows an incident when a Hampshire pensioner dropped a cigarette end out of his vehicle - and ended up with a £50 fine.

Retired clinical seaman John Tredinnick could not understand why a letter from Southampton City Council's Environmental Health and Consumer Protection Division ordering him to pay £50 had landed on his doormat.

The disabled 74-year-old had always been a law-abiding citizen and never one to litter.

But Mr Tredinnick had been spotted by City Enforcement Officers dropping a cigarette butt out of the car window while he was driving along The Avenue, Southampton.

Officers checked his number plate with the DVLA and then issued the fine. Now he must fork out almost half of his weekly pension to pay.

"It has upset me so much I have hardly slept," said Mr Tredinnick, who has one leg and uses an automatic car.

"Littering is just something I do not do. I even carry a rubbish bag in my car for tissues when I have hay fever."

"The letter I received from them did not even state what I was alleged to have thrown from my car or even the type of car I drive to show they had not made a mistake."

Under powers introduced in September 2000 Southampton City Council's City enforcement officers can issue on-the-spot fines for littering or dog fouling. Last year the fine was raised from £25 to £50 and since the legislation was introduced 350 fines have been issued in Southampton. There have been 17 prosecutions for non-payment.

A council spokeswoman said: "We are working more with the police and the anti-social behaviour team along with the city patrol team.

"Soon the team's powers will be extended to include graffiti, vandalism, abandoned vehicles and fly-posting."

Some signs have been posted around the city to warn pedestrians and motorists about the costs of littering although the council website still states the fine is £25.

Mr Tredinnick added: "If I have done wrong then fair enough but I don't think I have. The fine is ridiculous. There should be some sort of concessions. If I have got to pay it then I have got to pay it."

The spokesman for campaigning public health charity ASH, Naj Dehalri, said: "1,200 tons of tobacco litter are deposited on our streets every day. Why should cigarettes be exempt from litter?"

The Freedom Organisation for the Right to Enjoy Smoking Tobacco (FOREST) said: "We do not condone throwing cigarettes on the floor. It is the same as any sort of litter."