RESIDENTS in Hartlepool who fail to bring their bins in could be charged up to £85, the council has warned.

Abandoned wheelie bins are making problems such as arson and burglary worse, council chiefs in Hartlepool say.

A pilot scheme is being launched in the town to tackle the problem of bins being left out or abandoned in backstreets which will see bins confiscated if they are left out for three days or more.

Bins left out are increasingly being targeted by arsonists and fires could spread to nearby homes.

The borough council said wheelie bin fire rates were up on last year and the bins could also be used by burglars to gain access to properties.

Now the council and Cleveland Fire Brigade will hand out leaflets reminding residents to bring bins in by 7pm, and say any bins left out for more than three days would be removed.

Persistent offenders could receive a £60 fixed penalty and have to pay £25 for a replacement bin.

The 12-month pilot will cover the areas which have been identified as having a particular problem.