Flashing bunny bins tackle litter

The interactive bins will be tested in Covent Garden and Holland Park

Rubbish bins in the shape of giant rabbits with flashing ears have been created by fashion designer Paul Smith in a bid to reduce London's litter.

The 5ft (1.5m) rabbits, whose ears light up when rubbish is put in them, will be tested for four months.

Mr Smith said he designed the bin because the amount of rubbish in the capital "just looks dreadful".

It is among a number of ideas, designed to improve the city, going on show at south-east London's Design Museum.

One of the rabbit bins was unveiled in Covent Garden, central London, on Thursday, with another to be tested in Holland Park, west London, from Friday.

Mr Smith said he hoped the interactive flashing bins would encourage people to use them.

The equivalent of 100,000 dustbin bags of rubbish are discarded on London streets every day.

"I'm quite passionate about the fact that in many many cities around the world we drop our litter without any consideration about how it's going to affect the city, our environment," Mr Smith said.

Other ideas on display in the Super Contemporary exhibition from 3 June include new bus shelters and new uniforms for the Beefeaters at the Tower of London.