TAUNTON Deane Council is installing 80 metal bins across the borough.

The old plastic bins will be recycled. Smaller, pole-mounted bins are also being replaced with larger receptacles to increase capacity.

The litter bins were funded from an underspend in last year’s budget following public concerns about the state of the environment. They are part of a £60,000 package being targeted at additional street cleaning, extra weed spraying and an extended grass cutting programme.

Cllr James Hunt, portfolio holder for environmental services, said: “Now we need people to do their bit in keeping our environment clean and tidy.

“We can provide the bins but people need to use them. We can do more street cleaning but people need to act responsibly to keep the streets clean by not dropping litter in the first place.

“We pledged we would invest in our county town centre and we are fulfilling that pledge – and swiftly. We want to ensure that we all do our best to keep our town attractive for both local people and our very welcome visitors.”