A woman has vowed to fight a fine she was given for setting up a table in Leicester city centre while campaigning against city council cuts.

Heather Rawling was given a £100 penalty under new rules to prevent anti-social behaviour on Saturday 31 May.

The 72-year-old, from Leicester, said she believed the fine had been issued to prevent political campaigning and she would rather go to court than pay.

The council said its new public spaces protection order (PSPO) introduced in April does not restrict free speech and that Mrs Rawling had been fined for putting an unauthorised structure on the highway.

Mrs Rawling, a member of the Socialist Party, said she was not causing a nuisance or blocking the highway.

"I accept the PSPO can be needed to deal with people on e-bikes, noisy speakers or street drinkers," she said.

"But this was a small camping table which we had for leaflets and so people could sign a petition.

"I don't think we were in anybody's way. There's plenty of space. We weren't being a nuisance.

"I think this was political – we were asked to take it down because we were campaigning about council cuts.

"It was all very amicable. The warden asked me to take it down. I said I would not and he issued a fine.

"I'm not going to pay it on principle, and if I have to go to court, I will."

Mrs Rawling said she was opposing cuts to public services at the city council, including potential closures of community centres, and public sector job losses.

The council said the penalty for breaching a PSPO could rise to £1,000 if the matter goes to court for prosecution.

'Noticeably improved'

Campaigners previously wrote to Leicester's mayor Sir Peter Soulsby seeking assurances they are exempt from the PSPO.

A number of groups including unions and political parties said they feared the order could "constitute an unjustified limit on their democratic rights" as the ban also includes "unauthorised structures" such as banners, stalls and tables.

Soulsby told the BBC: "There's absolutely nothing in the PSPO that prevents people from going out and trying to persuade people on political matters – if they do it without a table or gazebo or loud speaker."

A council spokesperson said: "The PSPO does not restrict freedom of speech, but it does restrict the nuisance of amplifiers, gazebos and other structures that more than 1,100 respondents to our consultation told us negatively impacted their experience of Leicester city centre.

"Many groups have been respectful of this so far and, as a result, the environment in the city centre is noticeably improved."

"This group had put up a table, in breach of the public spaces protection order (PSPO) that covers the city centre.

"One of our wardens asked them to take down the table and advised that if they didn't, they would be issued with a fixed penalty notice.

"They refused to take it down and so a fine was issued."

The council said three fixed penalty notices were issued in May under the new PSPO rules – all relating to unauthorised use of unauthorised structures on the highway.

The steel town of Port Talbot is ready to welcome thousands of visitors to Eisteddfod yr Urdd, an annual celebration of Welsh language and culture.

This year there are more Welsh learners competing than ever before, according to Urdd Gobaith Cymru.

The festival will take place in Margam Park from Monday 26 May to Saturday 31 May.

Locals have said the festival will bring much-needed positivity to the town, following the closure of the blast furnaces at Tata steel last year.

What is Eisteddfod yr Urdd?

The Urdd Eisteddfod is held every year at different locations across Wales, usually to coincide with the spring half term.

The festival brings together young people to compete in events in categories including music, literature and performing arts.

The festival is organised by Urdd Gobaith Cymru, Wales' largest youth movement, which celebrated its 100th birthday in 2022.

The organisation has announced a record-breaking 119,593 registrations to compete in this year's festival, which includes a significant 42% rise in the number of young Welsh learners compared to last year.

Much-needed good news for Port Talbot

Since announcing in 2023 that the festival would be held in Port Talbot, the steel town has seen a lot of change. In January 2024 it was announced the blast furnaces at Tata Steel would be closing, meaning the loss of nearly 3,000 jobs across the UK but most of those in Port Talbot.

Students at local school Ysgol Gymraeg Ystalyfera Bro Dur hope the Eisteddfod will be a chance to celebrate the area's history.

Rosa McLean, 14, hopes the Eisteddfod will bring more tourism to the area.

"It's really exciting, I've lived in Port Talbot all my life so I feel like I'm more involved in it [Eisteddfod]," she said.

"It's been quite quiet here, so I think the Eisteddfod will brighten the situation with the steelworks."

How much are tickets to the Urdd Eisteddfod?

Tickets for lower income families or children under the age of three are free.

As a part of the Urdd's message of peace and goodwill, the organisation said they were "committed" to continue to appeal to low income families.

General admission per day ranges from £23 for an adult to £15 for a child or £12 for a competitor.

More information about tickets, including who is eligible for free entry, can be found on the Urdd's website.

How can I get to the Urdd Eisteddfod?

Margam Park is a stone's throw away from the M4. Exit at junction 38 if you are travelling from the west and junction 37 from the east.

In May a train was named after the Urdd's mascot, Mistar Urdd, to encourage people to use public transport to get to the festival grounds this year.

Organisers have also confirmed details for the shuttle bus service running between Port Talbot (Parkway) train station to the Eisteddfod Maes throughout the week.

The service is free to the public, running between 06:30 BST and 21:56 or 23:26, depending on which day.