COMPLAINTS from teachers and pupils about litter and dog mess near a Halesowen school have led to a new bin being installed.

Staff at St Margaret’s at Hasbury CofE Primary School asked Dudley Council for help after an increase in dog mess and litter outside the school.

The council promptly installed a new bin in School Lane and is also monitoring the area to see what other support can be given.

The bin is dual purpose and takes litter as well as dog mess.

People face fines if they are caught littering including a £75 fixed penalty notice or even fines up to £2,500 if prosecuted through the courts.

There are also penalties for failing to clean up after dogs including £100 fines under the Public Space Protection Order.

Sara Shepherd, head teacher at St Margaret’s, said: "A few children came to me with concerns regarding rubbish and dog foul along School Lane which is a public right of way that runs through our split site school.

"They wanted to sort the problem and shared their concerns during collective worship.

"Within a week the whole school had become actively involved and worked towards the goal of more bins in the area.

"Children wrote to their local MP and raised awareness through a video and posters they created.

"I would like to thank the council for their support and for acting so quickly to the children’s concerns in providing us with a new bin."

Councillor Shaz Saleem, cabinet member for highways and public realm, said: "We have teams out all of the time litter picking and clearing up other people’s mess, which is always a challenge. "Initiatives like this with young people show that the future looks bright for this borough with people who care about their environment."