A woman who tried to show her disgust for a controversial stage show by throwing away a flyer got more than she bargained for when she was fined £50 for littering.

Religious groups have been gathering outside the Theatre Royal on Grey Street, Newcastle, to protest against Jerry Springer - The Opera, which they claim is "blasphemous and offensive" in its portrayal of God and Jesus Christ.

But when one woman mistakenly took a flyer being handed out by theatre staff on Monday she told them exactly what she thought of the play and threw away the advertisement.

Unfortunately for her, a passing council enforcement officer decided the act constituted littering and gave her a fixed penalty of £50 on the spot.

Theatre Royal Chief Executive Philip Bernays [correct], said: "It is very unfortunate that the flyer caused her so much offence. Ticket sales for Jerry Springer - The Opera have more than doubled in the past few weeks.

"The show has received an enormous amount of coverage and exposure, some of which has come from protesters outside of the theatre.

"We recognise and support people's right to express their point of view, but we would also ask people to respect the rights of those individuals who have chosen to come and see the show when it arrives here on Monday."

But born-again Christian Adele Richardson [correct], who was protesting outside the Theatre Royal, yesterday [Tues] said she could understand why the woman threw away the flyer.

She said: "She probably took one look at the contents and threw it away in disgust. I don't blame her. Jerry Springer - The Opera, is blasphemous and evil. But she shouldn't have been littering. A bin would be the right place for it."

Yesterday, a Newcastle City Council spokeswoman confirmed a woman had been given a fixed penalty.

She said: "Obviously the fixed penalty had absolutely nothing to do with the fact the leaflet was for Jerry Springer - The Opera."