Disgruntled residents fear more rubbish will pile up as council bosses have voted to cut the number of public bins in a Kent district.

Folkestone and Hythe District Council (FHDC) currently provides 912 across the two towns and surrounding area but is set to slash that total in a bid “to control future costs”.

Proposals put forward by officers suggested cutting the number to 775, but councillors have yet to agree exactly how many bins will be lost.

Opponents believe the move could lead to a repeat of issues seen in the summer when rubbish built up along the Upper and Lower Leas.

Folkestone resident Stephen West, who featured on KentOnline when he cleared up part of the mess in June, believes the council should “be looking to save money elsewhere”.

“You are joking,” he said, when he learned of the plans this week.

“We already have a litter problem in Folkestone and reducing them is only going to have a knock-on effect. It's going to make a huge difference.”

The reduction was approved by FHDC, which is now run by the Green Party, at a cabinet meeting last week.

The council says its current waste and street cleansing contract with contractor Veolia costs £5.6 million, making it the authority’s “leading contract in terms of cost”.

It says cutting the number of bins could save £30,000, and would be achieved by “reviewing current locations, removing bins that are in poor condition or underused and possibly relocating others”.

But Mr West, 64, feels the move is short-sighted.

“I don't understand why they would do this,” he said.

“Surely they want the town to look good for both the people that live here and tourists.

“Last summer the litter on the beaches was dreadful. This is only going to make it worse.

“Unfortunately, if people don't see a bin they will be more inclined just to throw it on the floor.”

But Jon O’Connor, who is part of Folkestone Town Sprucers, a team that cleans the streets of the town, believes “public behaviour is a bigger issue than the number of bins”.

“Any reduction in public services is always a pity, but if it is done in a manageable way then I’m not against it,” he added.

“I think we need to take an opportunity to teach people to use the bins.

“A huge amount of litter comes from fast-food outlets and I think the council needs to work closely with them to help remind customers to be considerate.”

As well as reducing the number of bins, FHDC is also upping its garden waste annual subscription from £53 to £60.

In a statement, a spokesman said: “We will be undertaking a project to rationalise the location and overall number of street litter bins, giving us the opportunity to focus on the areas that need them most. Cabinet members did not agree to a set target.

“There isn’t an excuse for littering now and there won’t be one in the future. We will still be emptying hundreds of street litter bins in the district – either use the nearest one or take your rubbish home for disposal and/or recycling.

“We’re working hard to deliver the excellent services the people of Folkestone and Hythe deserve, while ensuring the council is financially stable both now and in the future.”