Throwing your litter into the wrong street bin will risk an on-the-spot fine and criminal convictions, ministers said yesterday.

Town hall rubbish police, who already inspect household wheelie bins, have been given the power to hand out punishments for misuse of public recycling bins in streets or parks.

Ignoring the new rubbish regulations by, for example, putting crisp packets into bins meant for glass, or ice cream wrappers into bins for cans, will bring financial penalties and the risk of a court appearance if they are not paid.

The right to hand out fines was confirmed by waste minister Joan Ruddock who said the new recycling drive would mean 'deliberate disposal of rubbish in the wrong place could constitute an offence'.

On-the-spot fines will be set at as much as £110 - £30 more than the street penalty that police might impose on a shoplifter.

Extending such punishments comes months after Labour said street bins would be replaced with recycling containers as part of a 'recycle-on-the-go' campaign.

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