Sandwell residents will now have to be more cautious while smoking in public and littering its ash in open. As the council has appointed wardens who roam around at every nook and corner and hand over fines to those who litter.

Sheila Martin was handed over a fine of £2,500 fine after she did not pay Sandwell an on-the-spot penalty for littering ash while smoking at a bus stop. She said, “I can't work out why the council would be so vindictive over such a petty matter."

Reports say that about 2,200 penalty fines of £75 were handed over last year by Sandwell. And in neighbouring Dudley there were just 336. There have been incidents like people being fined for tissues falling from there pocket.

The strict attitude of council has made people call Sandwell the new capital of ‘big brother’ Britain.

Residents stated that they fear going on roads as they might get fined even while shopping.

In Sheila’s case the council has stated that it will not drop the charges.

A council spokesman declined to comment on individual cases yesterday, but said, "In general terms, our wardens do not issue fixed penalty notices for dropping cigarette ash."