HOUSEHOLDERS in Great Yarmouth could face a �30 fee to replace lost or stolen wheelie bins, if councillors approve the cost-cutting move tonight.Yarmouth Borough Council says the new charge would encourage people to keep a closer eye on their present bins and save the council �25,000 a year.

HOUSEHOLDERS in Great Yarmouth could face a �30 fee to replace lost or stolen wheelie bins, if councillors approve the cost-cutting move tonight.

Yarmouth Borough Council says the new charge would encourage people to keep a closer eye on their present bins and save the council �25,000 a year.

About 40 requests a month are made to the council asking for a new or replacement bin.

It costs the council about �30,000 a year on bins and it is estimated that the charge would lead to the new bin expenditure falling to �5,000 per annum.

The council's cabinet will discuss the charges tonight and, if approved, people on benefits will only have to pay 50pc of the �30 fee and people asking for smaller replacement bins will not be charged.

Councillors will also look at setting up a stock of second-hand bins to be provided free of charge and encouraging landlords to bring in wheelie bins at empty properties.