Know your council's rules 

A mum who placed two extra rubbish bags out next to her bin ready for collection has been slapped with a £75 fine for 'littering'. Joanna Beck, 38, could not believe it when she received a letter from Hyndburn Council, in Lancashire, after 'littering' on the highway.

But the mother-of-three is struggling to pay the fine within 14 days - and if she doesn't pay she could end up in court. She has lived at the property for around 18 months and says she did not know that putting out extra bags next to her bin would leave her with a fine. However, councilor for the area Joyce Holgate said leaflets were delivered to every single household telling residents they could not put out extra bags of rubbish. She said: 'If you go on the council website it's quite clearly stated - but she has only lived here for less than two years. 'I have already spoken to the council about allowing her to pay in installments.' Councillor Paddy Short added: '

The system exists to stop fly-tipping with which we have major problems in the borough - the £75 is to try to stop fly tipping.'