Hambleton's talking litter bins

SCHOOLCHILDREN are being enlisted into the fight against litter across one part of the Yorkshire Dales.

Primary school pupils across Hambleton are being asked to design a new poster under the banner 'bin it - don't drop it'.

And top place will win a special talking bin for their playground - they can choose from a penguin, robin or duck.

"Litter is rubbish in the wrong place," said Hambleton Street Scene Manager, John Proud.

"Research has shown that children - especially teenagers - freely admit to dropping it and don't feel ashamed. Through this competition we hope to get to them before they are teenagers - littering is nearly always worse at secondary schools. We want to train them early and hope the talking bins will be a real incentive."

The winning school will be visited unannounced to make sure they are litter free with the winning poster used around the district. Competition runners-up will have the chance to borrow a talking bin for three months.

Closing date for entries is Friday November 30, 2007.