A waste firm is suggesting wheelie bins could be stored underground and brought to the surface by electronic lift.

The idea comes from German company Sulo, which is being mooted as the supplier for the controversial new bins in Adur and Worthing.

On its website, the firm agrees wheelie bins can be smelly and cumbersome, especially for people who have to move them up and down steps.

It suggests an "underground garage", a covered hole by people's front doors where two wheelie bins can be placed on a platform and raised electronically to be filled or emptied.

Adur and Worthing councils have announced they would be introducing wheelie bins across the area and many residents have objected, saying they do not want them.

Adur Liberal Democrat councillor Richard Burt said: "Sulo is admitting their wheelie bins are quite difficult to remove, which is why they have come up with this ludicrous suggestion to have a hole in the pavement in the front of each house where the bins can go up and down.

"If this wasn't such a serious matter it would be funny."

He said the concept was unworkable because it would be too expensive. Residents are being asked whether they want alternate weekly recycling and refuse collections, fortnightly recycling and weekly refuse collection or a weekly recycling and refuse collection.

The Argus has reported many were disappointed there was not a "do nothing" option. Cynthia Dudas, 63, of Chester Avenue, Worthing, said Sulo's suggestion was "like an April Fool's joke".

Sulo wheelie bins have been used in the public consultation material distributed by the councils.

But Peter Latham, head of services for Adur, said Sulo had not been selected and the job would have to go out to tender. Speaking on behalf of both councils, he said: "We would be interested to know how Sulo would finance the scheme and how it would work.

"We always welcome lateral thinking - in this case vertical thinking."

The councils want wheelie bins to encourage people to throw out less rubbish and recycle more. Current recycling rates fall short of Government targets.

Max Ryan, from Sulo, said: "Underground systems have been found to be the ideal solution for handling waste in highdensity areas where the disappearance of large ugly containers on the streets has been welcomed by residents."