A journalist who was fined for putting the wrong kind of rubbish in his recycling bags is to appeal against his conviction.

South Wales Evening Post sports writer Michael Reeves hit the headlines last month for becoming the first person in Wales to be found guilty of putting paper in a bag reserved for glass and tins.

He had denied breaching the Environmental Protection Act in June.

The 28-year-old said he had no choice other than to appeal against his conviction at Swansea Magistrates Court.

The bench imposed a £100 fine and ordered him to pay £100 costs following the successful prosecution brought by Swansea Council.

In the process he landed a criminal record.

The journalist responded by vowing never to bother recycling again and is now following that up by mounting an appeal.

The necessary papers will go in on Monday – the day before the deadline laid down.

The appeal will be heard by a judge sitting with two magistrates.

The original case centred on a single sheet of paper addressed to Michael being discovered in a green bin bag intended for glass outside his home.

The authority said it “contaminated” the other items put out for recycling.

Michael said: “I have consulted my solicitor and I feel I have to appeal. I did not put that piece of paper in the recycling bag. Nobody knows if it was my bag or not.

“I don’t want to have the stigma of a criminal record because I don’t deserve one, and I don’t want it to affect my life.

“Things would be difficult when travelling abroad to places like America. I feel the fine was harsh but the conviction in the first place was even harsher.”