Twenty-five new smart bins will be going into Merton parks this summer, the council has announced.

The new smart solar-powered bins have compactors inside them to compress rubbish, meaning that the bins will have a much greater capacity than standard litter bins.

When they are full, an electronic signal is sent to the council’s greenspaces litter team letting them know it is ready to be emptied.

Parks where the bins are to be deployed include Wimbledon Park, Dundonald Rec, John Innes Rec, Morden Park, Joseph Hood Rec, Figge’s Marsh, Lavender Park, Tamworth Rec and Ravensbury Park following a trial last summer.

Merton’s cabinet member for environmental cleanliness and parking, Councillor Judy Saunders said: "We are pleased to have more smart bins going into our green spaces following positive feedback from residents and the successful use of them in other parts of the borough.

"By investing in more bins it shows we are listening to our park users and it will help keep our parks clean by allowing our litter team to be more efficient with their collections.

"We are committed to keeping our borough litter free."