Bins on main roads leading into the city centre were removed by the council because “they attract rubbish”, it has emerged.

The bizarre reason for ditching the bins was revealed by a councillor as he called for them to be restored.

Alan Baldock, leader of Canterbury’s Labour group, says his attempts to get them back left him despairing at the Conservative-controlled authority.

He told a meeting of Canterbury councillors: “I tried to get bins back into the Northgate ward, but was told by council officers that they would not come back because they attract rubbish. I despair sometimes.”

Cllr Baldock says he contacted the council after a bin in Chaucer Road was removed and the Craddock Road Residents Association asked him if he could get it back.

“It was clear the criteria being applied was that if stuff other than wrappers or cans was dumped in or around the bin then the bin would be removed,” he said.

“There appeared to be no set standards or criteria for litter bin placement, save that of the judgement of council officers.

“The bin in Chaucer Road has never been restored, as was made clear to me that it would not be at the point of my challenge.”

Lib Dem group leader Michael Dixey told the Canterbury Area Member Panel that litter enforcement by council-hired private contractors had brought a reduction in city centre mess.

But he backed the call for more bins in outer areas.

“Once you leave St Dunstan’s, there are no litter bins,” Cllr Dixey said.

“There are lot of kids who eat breakfast on the hoof while they are walking to school – and as we know kids do litter. There is much less litter in the school holidays.

“I feel it’s right to take a carrot and stick approach with the carrot being litter bins and the stick being enforcement.”

Cllr Steve Williams, the Barton ward Conservative, wants schools and colleges to do more to encourage their pupils not to drop litter.

He said: “There’s an onus on academic institutions to keep the areas around them clean. They need to be more strict.

“People should also report to us any things they see regarding rubbish.”

Council spokesman Rob Davies says the problem with bins in residential areas is that they are filled with household rubbish.

“This is rubbish which they should be putting in their wheelie bins at home,” Mr Davies said.

“The issue of litter bins in areas away from the city centre was raised at a recent Canterbury Area Member Panel meeting and will be discussed again in September.

“Council officers will be working with councillors to talk about the concerns of residents and possible solutions ahead of the meeting.”