MORE than 130 people paid the price for committing environmental offences in County Durham in March.

Durham County Council’s neighbourhood protection team tackles issues including fly tipping, dog fouling, littering and anti-social behaviour.

In March the team issued 89 fixed penalty notices for littering, ten for dog fouling and 35 for failing to clear untidy premises when asked.

There were 13 prosecutions after people failed to pay their fines and six offenders were prosecuted for fly tipping.

Advisory letters were sent to the owners of 145 untidy properties and three went to dog owners who allowed their pets to stray.

Ian Hoult, neighbourhood protection manager, said: “Such environmental offences significantly impact upon and blight our villages, towns and rural areas.”

Environment complaints should be reported to Durham County Council online at durham.gov.uk or on 03000-261000.