Bin appeal to stop seagull menace

Seagulls peck open bin bags and scatter rubbish around

People in a Sussex town are being asked not to leave rubbish bags out overnight to stop the menace of seagulls.

Hastings Borough Council says refuse left out can attract seagulls which rip open bin bags scattering the waste.

It is asking residents to leave bags in dustbins rather than on roads or pavements, or that if bin bags are used they should be put out after 0700 BST.

The authority wants to prevent a repeat of last year when the warm weather saw a rise in seagulls ripping open bags.

Councillor Roy Tucker, lead member for environment, said: "Seagulls are such a part of Hastings that we have to do what we can to keep our streets as clean as possible."