Gosport council is carrying out extra checks at taxi ranks to make sure drivers aren't dropping butts on the ground, and environment officers will also be keeping an eye out for drivers smoking in their vehicles.

The latest snooping operation means cab drivers caught puffing inside their vehicles will be fined £50 – and if they toss their cigarettes on the ground they will be hit with a £75 bill.

Officers will be keeping an eye on the taxi rank at Falklands Gardens.

The crackdown comes after members of the public and a driver complained to the council about smoking.

Council environmental services manager Dave Jago said: 'It's against the law for them to smoke in their cabs and if they throw their cigarettes out of the window that's littering. We've had complaints about this and it's our duty to act.

'We will have more officers keeping an eye on the problem and if anyone is caught, they will be fined.'

Independent taxi driver Michael Poulter told The News: 'They haven't got any provision to dispose of the fag ends, yet they are going to be actively pursuing us.'

Mr Jago said he would look into the possibility of installing a cigarette bin at the rank in Falklands Gardens.