Thirty dog bins could soon be provided in Toothill and Lawns as part of a pilot scheme.

Swindon council will be discussing on Tuesday whether to give the go-ahead for a trial scheme to see if dog bins would be used by pet owners.

The scheme will cost £5,124 and council officers will also be asking businesses to sponsor a bin.

It will see 30 bins strategically placed in areas of Lawns and Toothill where problems with dog muck have been rife.

If the scheme is successful the council will be looking to install 400 bins in the borough with a cost of £31,450 for installation and a total of £38,450 a year to keep them up and running.

This follows a petition which was handed to the Area Panel West from pupils at Westlea School in July complaining about the amount of dog muck in the area and asking for the installation of bins.

Peter Ellershaw, the council's director of environmental services, said: "Dog faeces can spread disease particularly to young children and it can also be a source of distress and conflict within communities.

"The problems of dog fouling in public open spaces has existed for a long time.

"The non-provision of a dog bin by no way provides an excuse for a dog owner not cleaning up after their pet.

"However, the provision of a bin makes it easier for a dog owner to comply with the law and possibly provides a reminder that they should clear up after their pet."

The borough council's policy commission will discussing the issue at a meeting at the Civic Offices on Tuesday at 7pm.