Kids mount protest for bin to tackle litter nuisance

A group of three to five-year-olds have won their campaign to get a bin installed outside their pre-school after mounting a protest.

The pupils decided to march with placards, chanting "we want a bin, we want a bin" because of rubbish piling up at their Blackpool school, where there was no public waste collection nearby.

Preschool manager Giuliana Hornby said: "We regularly have litter blowing into our play area and in our entrance way. This week we even saw a seagull picking up the litter."

The children's protest was picked up by councillors who responding with a vow to "happily provide an additional bin in the area, close to the school gates".

Hornby said the children were "inspired" to march after learning about the impact of waste.

"They've been learning about how litter harms the environment so they wanted to take action and ask for a bin outside school," she said.

"The protest is also about helping children understand that their voices matter and that they can make a positive difference in their local community."

Councillors Laura Marshall and Matthew Thomas, who represent the Brunswick ward, pledged to provide a bin.

They said: "Well done to the children at Devonshire Primary Academy for raising awareness about the harms of litter in the ward and for voicing your concerns democratically.

"We - your ward councillors - will happily provide an additional bin in the area, close to the school gates to reduce the issue."

Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.