Log burner users could end up with £300 fine and criminal record under new rules

New rules for log burners mean some households could be fined up to £300 - and people could end up with a criminal record. It comes as new regulation reduces the permissible amount of smoke new stoves can produce from 5g per hour to 3g per hour.

The rules automatically apply to 'smoke control areas', which include most of England's towns and cities. The government previously banned the sale of house coal and wet wood in England last year in an attempt to reduce emissions and encourage the use of greener alternatives.

It is believed around 1.5 million Brits own a log burner, Lancs Live reports.

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The government also said it was tightening the rules instead of an outright ban on burning fuels because some households exclusively use them as a source of heating and cooking. John Cutts, an expert at MeandMyGlass.co.uk said: "With the cold weather fast approaching, it’s likely many of us will want to get warm and cosy by lighting up log burners at home.

"But many log burner owners are unaware of the recent implications of clean air regulations. If they’re not followed correctly, thousands of Brits could face large fines and even a criminal conviction.

"The regulations state that owners are to face penalties for using wood-burning stoves which don’t meet the UK’s standard for emissions. Not only do people have to be aware of the type of log burner they’re using, but also the material being burned on it. Using the wrong log burner and materials will result in a hefty penalty.

"The regulations encourage owners