A high-tech "big belly bin" worth £5,000 has been installed at a beach after an authority was given a free trial.

The new solar-powered bin at Minster Leas beach on Sheppey is part of a six-week pilot to reduce the environmental impact and collection costs litter can have.

Dubbed Mr Fill, it can take six to seven times longer to fill up than a regular bin - which Swale council says will make it easier to keep the beach clean during the busy summer months.

The bin contains an electric press operated by solar energy that compresses rubbish down to one fifth of the normal space used - reducing refuse collection costs by up to 75%.

It also keeps track of how much space has been used and sends an alert when it needs emptying.

Waste solution company Wybone will manage the trial of the bin which has been installed along the top of the grassy bank near the Playa pub.

The bin was installed yesterday and will be in place as people flock to the seaside throughout the summer.

"We are keen to trial any new solutions that can help the environment and save us, and the tax payer, money."

Each bin costs about £5,000 and the cabinet member for the environment Cllr Tim Valentine says it is part of exploring options to "provide a cleaner and well managed environment".

"Every year we spend around £1 million on street cleansing, so we are keen to trial any new solutions that can help the environment and save us, and the tax payer, money," he said.

Campaigners in Whitstable have been calling for so-called "big belly bins" to be installed to help tackle a scourge of litter and nitrous oxide canisters being strewn across the seafront.

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