A bin of shame will occupy a high profile spot in Harrogate town centre in a bid to persuade people to drop less litter.

A huge skip will be filled with all the litter collected from Harrogate town centre during Litter Awareness Week, being held for the second year from April 1 to 7.

Council official Kevin Marriott, who is organising the event, said: "The skip will provide the public with a visible image of how much litter is dropped in just seven days."

One of the main problems faced by the council is the increasing amount of chewing gum being discarded on streets.

"It is everywhere and once you spot the tell-tale signs - black blobs in summer which turn to white in winter and are even more noticeable - you can't stop spotting them," said Mr Marriott.

The anti-litter week will be spearheaded by a poster proclaiming Put Your Litter in the bin designed by Zachary Dean Stone, a five-year-old pupil at Rossett Acre Primary School, in Pannal Ash. The poster has been sponsored by McDonald's.

Meanwhile, a design-a-bin contest, aimed at broadening the anti-litter message, has been won by Boroughbridge Primary School. The winning entry was from six-year-old Jack Walker. A new litter bin, costing £250, will be presented to the school.

Headteacher David Roberts said: "This has come at an ideal time as we are in the middle of a big environmental project. And litter, as well as recycling, is high on the agenda."