VANDALS have destroyed litter and dog waste bins installed by a town council.

Thornaby Town Council spent more than £4,500 putting the bins around the town to try to improve the area.

An agreement was reached with Stockton Borough Council to empty the bins as part of its routine operations and it was hoped they would encourage tidiness in the area. But in the past three months the bins have been destroyed.

Those in Victoria Park and Village Park have had to removed after they were vandalised, while two other bins were set on fire.

Another litter bin was torn from its mounting and is now awaiting re-installation.

A council spokesman said: "Plans have been made to purchase further litter bins, but mindless vandalism makes the council wonder whether its efforts are worthwhile.

"Cooperation of the public is essential when trying to create a satisfactory environment.

"The problem is not a lack of facilities to keep the area tidy, but as usual, there is a faction which seems determined to ruin the quality of life for the majority."