WIGAN Council is receiving more than 30 requests for replacement and lost bins every day.

The local authority has spent £300,000 in the last 12 months to replace bins across the borough.

Residents are being asked to number their bins and take them in as soon as possible after they are collected.

Paul Barton, director for environment at the council, said: “The cost of the replacement of lost bins is significant and unfortunately the costs will increase even further if we do not take immediate action.

“This was a difficult decision for the council to take and we hope residents will understand and support us by ensuring their bins are returned promptly to their property after collection and are then left in a secure place.

“The majority of our residents do look after their bins and we would like to thank them for their continuing support.”

Last year saw the introduction of three-weekly bin collections.

At the time it was agreed a £35 charge would be introduced for lost black bins to encourage residents to look after them and help the council to save money. This covers the administration and delivery costs paid by the local authority.

Other councils in Greater Manchesters already have a replacement bins charge.

For more information visit wigan.gov.uk/recycling.