RESIDENTS in Burnham-on-Sea and Highbridge are being offered new gull proof rubbish bags in a bid to reduce the amount of rubbish littering the town's streets.

This week Burnham and Highbridge Town Council announced 20 gull proof rubbish bags will be given to residents as part of a trial with Somerset Waste Partnership.

The bags are made from a heavy duty gull proof material and will hold up to four rubbish sacks for residents fortnightly waste collections.

A spokesman for the town council, said: "Burnham-on-Sea & Highbridge Town Council recognises that there are problems associated with the gull population in the towns and it is assured by Sedgemoor District Council that it is taking action to address it.

"In a bid to help clean up the towns, the town council has sourced free of charge from Somerset Waste Partnership, 20 Gull Proof rubbish bags for use by residents as part of a trial.

"If your property is ineligible for a black wheelie bin because it does not have storage space, you will be eligible to collect one of these bags free of charge from the town council offices at The Old Courthouse, Jaycroft Road, Burnham-on-sea.

"The bags are made from a heavy duty gull proof material and will hold up to four rubbish sacks for your fortnightly waste collection.

"One bag per property will be given out on a first come first serve basis to those with proof of address. In order to ascertain if the initiative can be rolled out to more properties, feedback on the performance of the bags will be requested in March 2020. "