A town in the UK has introduced what’s effectively a pubic swear jar – penalties for people caught using foul language in public.

Middleborough has introduced a by-law that'll see people fined $30 for swearing in public when others are within earshot.

Police and by-laws officers have been given the power to enforce it, drawing praise from locals who say it's long overdue.

The council says it's not interested in censoring private conversations but it's time people who swear loudly without concern for others were brought into line.