A jobless man ended up with a bill of more than £800 for a £3.59 McDonald's meal he left on a bench.

Anthony Chilton was fined £350 by magistrates and ordered to pay £537 in costs after he littered a bench with the remains of a Big Mac meal.

The fine is the largest handed out for littering in Oxfordshire.

Chilton and his former girlfriend had eaten a Big Mac meal each when a Cherwell District Council street warden spotted them leaving an empty box of fries and drink carton outside Marks and Spencer's in Bridge Street, Banbury.

Chilton abused the warden when he was issued with a £75 fixed penalty notice for littering.

He was then taken to Bicester Magistrates' Court after failing to pay the fine.

The 22-year-old former factory worker said he was outraged by the court judgement.

He said he had no chance of being able to pay the fine on his £49 a week job seekers allowance.

The father-of-one from Merton Street, Banbury said: "This is an horrendous fine. I can't afford to pay it. I'm going to appeal.

“It's ridiculous. It's the most expensive meal I've ever bought."

Cabinet member for community, health and environment George Reynolds said: "In this case, not only was it littering, but verbal abuse of our staff, which we will not tolerate."

Have you been hit by the council litter enforcers? Call Chris Walker on 01865 425425.