RUMOURS that oil giants Shell have been awarded exclusive rights to advertise on litter bins in Ipswich are a load of rubbish, The Evening Star reveals today.

By Tina Heath

RUMOURS that oil giants Shell have been awarded exclusive rights to advertise on litter bins in Ipswich are a load of rubbish, The Evening Star reveals today.

Red oil drums bearing the company's distinctive yellow logo have appeared at a lay-by on the Strand side of the Orwell Bridge and are being used as litter bins.

However far from being a move by Shell to catch the eye of passers-by – the vessels are in fact a temporary replacement for the standard stone bins, currently in need of repair.

Babergh District Council health manager, Gifford Lewis said that the litter warden had picked up the used Shell oil drums and put them in the lay-by while a more suitable replacement was sought.

The idea of earning cash by advertising on litter bins is not a dirty word at Babergh however.

The council is in the final throws of signing a deal with animal drugs supplier Bayer to sponsor poop-scoop bins at £10 a go.

With 150 animal waste bins across the district the council could be set to clinch a clean £1,500 if the deal goes ahead.

"It can be costly to keep control of dog bins and deal with waste disposal so the money will help ensures we continue to run an effective service," said Mr Gifford.