New recycling bins are being installed on Sheppey’s beaches after a 10-year-old boy started a campaign for them.

Last summer, Oliver Huggins spoke out about the need for recycling bins at The Leas in Minster, where people had no option but to throw their recycling in general waste bins.

But, last week, Swale council said it had teamed up with the GreenSeas Trust to install three recycling bins, one each at The Leas, Leysdown and Sheerness.

Cllr Tim Valentine, cabinet member for environment at the council, said: “We are pleased to be one of just three councils nationwide that have installed the newly-designed recycling bins to help save our marine life.

“We’ve contributed more than £4,500 towards the new bright and educational bins and we hope they’ll encourage people to recycle their plastics bottles.

“The bins are made from around 450 recycled plastic bottles and include educational statistics and information about the environment in the design.

He added: “We want to commend Oliver on his drive and commitment to help marine life and the environment. Thanks to him, and the new bins, everyone can do their part to keep our environment and seas clean.”

Oliver’s mum, Hayley, said her son had made the family proud.

The 31-year-old midwife, from Minster, said: “Oliver has been trying to get recycling bins at the beach since July last year and was so excited when we received the call from the council.

"He has made our whole family proud, he is such a kind, thoughtful and caring young boy and we are looking forward to seeing what other ideas he has to improve the environment.”

The first bin was installed at The Leas on Thursday. The other two, at Leysdown and Sheerness, will be installed in time for the summer.

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