Nuisance seagulls have been tearing up rubbish in Whitehaven - prompting a reminder to residents to collect a free 'seagull proof' solution.

Whitehaven Town Council is offering people the chance to collect a free bag, which stop seagulls and vermin from tearing apart refuse sacks which causes litter problems.

It follows a host of complaints on social media this morning by residents who have taken photos of litter, caused by seagulls, which has been strewn over town centre streets.

The town council said: “One bag per household for residents in the town council’s area can be obtained free of charge from the town council at Whitehaven Civic Hall Monday to Friday during normal office hours.”

The first bag is free. Further bags cost £2.61 each.

The town council introduced the measures last May, and since then it has distributed a number of bags to residents and businesses.

Jayne Laine, a Whitehaven town councillor, said bags are available for residents and businesses within the Whitehaven parish, not just the town centre.

She said: "The bags are all re-usable and people can put their own rubbish bag inside, very easy and simple and left outside at the normal collection point. The bags are still collected and emptied in the normal way.

"This was decided as a humane way forward so that these creatures and residents could live alongside one another without the rubbish adding to the taxpayers bill. I would urge every resident and business to come and get one."