High-tech bins have been introduced in the town centre in a bid to reduce litter.

Eight solar powered Big Belly bins that have a special compacting mechanism which crushes rubbish have been installed in Romford.

They hold up to eight times more rubbish than a normal bin.

Introduced in South Street, near the station, the bins also send Havering Council’s street cleaning team alerts when the bin is full.

Havering Council says this will mean better efficiency, with half the number of collections allowing the street cleaners to focus on other cleansing tasks.

Cabinet member for environment Councillor Osman Dervish said: “By introducing these bins we will be able to tackle litter at one of the busiest hotspots in the borough.

“The Big Belly bins are a similar size to normal bins, but with their special technology will transform the look of South Street as they keep more waste contained, de-clutter the area, and create a cleaner and greener Romford.”