A new initiative aimed at tackling the problem of chewing gum on Strabane's streets was launched this week by Strabane District Council.

The local council is the first in Northern Ireland to introduce 'Gummy Bins', specifically designed for the disposal of chewing gum.

Speaking at the event, Council chairman Gerard Foley said: "Strabane District Council has been proactively working to improve the image of the District over the past 18 months. One of the areas causing us concern was the amount of chewing gum littering the pavements throughout the various towns and villages in the District. So we have obtained 200 of these new Gummy Bins at no cost to the ratepayer and these will be erected in several 'White Spots' throughout the District."

Encouraging everyone who chews gum to use the special bins to dispose of it rather than our pavements. Councillor Foley explained: "Council currently spend £550,000 on Street Cleansing and we have investigated several ways of dealing with the removal of chewing gum. We have decided to introduce these fun new bins as they were the most cost effective measure available to us at this point in time. We hope that our local 'gum chewers' will use these bins. Ultimately we need everyone's help to ensure that Strabane District is a clean and pleasant place to work, live, invest and visit .'