A fabric shop owner's idea for how to stop seagulls tearing rubbish sacks apart has been binned by the local authority.

David Warburton thought bin bags could be kept in sacks made of rip stock, a light but strong material used in parachute design, which gulls cannot peck through.

But Brighton and Hove City Council said the sacks would not be practical because untying them and posting them back through people's letterboxes would slow binmen down.

If people filled them with lots of sacks they might also be heavy for binmen to lift which would compromise health and safety.

Mr Warburton, 65, who runs Fabric Warehouse in George Street, Brighton, came up with his idea after reading about problems with rubbish in the city centre in The Argus. He thought the bags could provide an alternative rubbish storage solution in areas where wheelie bins were not practical.

Mr Warburton said: "The gulls can't get through the material.

"The bags can be made up in any size but they roll up so small."

Mr Warburton had several sacks made and gave one to the council.

He made a successful test run of the fabric on Monday night when he left his waste outside in a rip stock bag. On Tuesday morning his bin bags were still unpecked while his neighbours' were torn and spilling waste.

A city council spokeswoman said: "We are keen to support innovative ideas. However, we've had a look at the bag and it seems there would be a few difficulties with it.

"We are continuing to invest in communal bins as a solution to problems with ripped bags."

Mr Warburton said: "I am a bit disappointed. I don't think dealing with the bags would take much more time than it does emptying the wheelie bins.

"I think they're looking a gift horse in the mouth.

"If that's what they feel then I'll try pitching the idea elsewhere."

Thursday, September 1, 2005