AN ACCRINGTON teenager was furious when he was hit with a £75 fine - just for resting his drink carton on the pavement.

Luke Mason, 18, a plastering student at Accrington and Rossendale College, had gone into Broadway to buy a carton of Ribena during his lunch hour.

After drinking half of it, he put the carton down on the floor while grappling to answer a call on his mobile phone.

But he was amazed when one of Accrington's town centre litter wardens came up to him and handed him an on-the-spot fine under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act.

Luke, of Water Street, Accrington, said: "When the warden walked over to me, she had a clip-board and I thought she wanted my name for a survey or something.

"When she told me I was being fined, I couldn't believe it. I just went mad.

"I said I wouldn't pay and she said if I didn't I would be taken to court and could face a fine of up to £1,000.

"It's not as if I intended to leave it there - I had only drunk half of it.

"I still won't pay because it's just not right. I am angry and disgusted.

"It's a lot of money for me. I have a placement with Hambling Construction but I only earn about £170 a week."

Luke added that he intended to complain to the council.

Councillor Peter Clarke, Cabinet portfolio holder for the environment, said: "As I did not see the offence, I can't really comment on this case specifically.

"However, people are always telling us they are sick of people littering the streets and they want to see us take a firmer line.

"I have been told this young man was given an on-the-spot fine for littering and if he feels this has been done unfairly he can argue his case in court."