Most severe fines for dropping litter in the UK revealed - with some charging hundreds

Brits are hit with different fines for littering across the UK as some councils can issue thousands annually and others none at all.

Fines of up to £150 can be issued by local authorities for "environmental offences" such as dropping litter.

Chewing gum, cigarette butts and food waste all fall under the council's definition of litter.

Merton council tops the list for giving out the most fixed penalty notices (FPNs), handing out more than 8,000 last year - more than any other area.

In Merton around 5,600 residents issued with a notice (70%) paid the £150 penalty.

The Sun obtained the figures through freedom of information requests, inquiring about more than 70 local authorities across the country.

17 councils have gave out no fines over the past year for littering.

Strict councils also included Hull City Council, Wandsworth and Dudley.

Hull City Council handed out 4,559 fines last year, Wandsworth 3,916, and Dudley gave out 3,627.