A NORTON man had a brush with success when he decided to crack down on lunchtime litter dropped by children.

Inspired by a council Tidy Schools scheme, which involved the strategic placing of wheeled bins in the area, Mr Fred York put carrier bags outside his home in Sussex Walk on Albany estate.

At first, these were ignored, but then he put up a sign in a window of his house saying: "Young ladies and gents, please put your rubbish in the carrier provided".

Said Mr York: "Then they got the message. About 14 sit on my front wall and they used to throw chip trays in my garden."

The youngsters began to use Mr York's carrier bags which he then emptied into his wheelie bin. This week, the council rewarded his efforts with a proper bin outside his home.

Under the Tidy Schools scheme, bins were placed at points between Norton school and shopping parades. The aim was to encourage youngsters going to shops at lunchtime to use bins instead of dropping rubbish on the ground.

Mr York, aged 70, asked the council for a bin in his street, but rather than sit back and wait, he set about a little litter education and community-spirited action on his own behalf.

On Tuesday, viewing the new bin, Coun Steve Nelson said: "The idea of wheeled bins meant they were prominent. The youngsters could not help but get the message. They didn't have to walk more than 10ft before meeting another bin.

"We are delighted Mr York continued the theme and that the youngsters have taken notice. "