Placing commercial advertising on litter bins is being considered in a bid to make Douglas more easy on the eye.

Some councillors in the capital believe it could improve the look of the town and raise money in the process, but issues with planning applications and administration still need to be overcome.

The environmental services committee has been urged to look again at the possibility of advertising on litter bins in the town, after an initial report rejected the proposal.

A number of councillors have expressed their support for the idea.

Murrays Ward member John Skinner told the chamber he believes the authority has ’missed a trick’, adding ’some of the bins are an absolute disgrace’.

Meanwhile, Derby Ward representative Samuel Hamer said ’advertising on litter bins could be a way of generating income’.

Ian Clague, who serves Victoria Ward, said despite being opposed to commercial advertising on municipal property in the past, ’things move at pace’ and it ’maybe worth a trial’.

Committee chairman Ritchie McNicholl said the council would need to obtain planning permission for every single bin they advertise on - at a cost of £170 per receptacle. He also feels the authority would need to fund another member of staff to oversee the operation.

Council leader David Christian believes a common sense approach to planning applications should be pursued: ’One planning application for one area which would include 25 bins, be more logical.’

Mr McNicholl says the committee is now reconsidering whether or not commercial advertising on the town’s litter bins would be viable, but needs further detail from the planning department.