RESIDENTS and businesses in a street off Taunton town centre have been issued gull proof bags after complaining of rubbish strewn around the pavement.

Businesswoman Jayne O'Brien took to social media to voice her frustration at the repeated sight of black bin bags ripped open, with litter blighting the area, particularly on Monday mornings.

The bags have now been issued by Somerset West and Taunton Council in a bid to prevent the problem persisting.

Somerset County Gazette:

A letter to recipients explains that the bags have a flat top lid with a velcro fastening strip to stop the birds ripping them apart and scattering the rubbish around in their search for food.