A council has been criticised for a "rubbish" idea after recommending that locals buy a loved one a £60 wheelie for Christmas.

Bromley Council in south London has written to residents suggesting that a 240-litre wheelie bin for garden waste with fortnightly collection thrown in could be the perfect present.

Writing in the most recent winter newsletter, called Environment Matters, the council states: "Need an unusual gift idea? Treat that special someone to a year's worth of garden waste collections!

"Your loved one will receive a large 240L wheelie bin to hold all types of green garden waste including leaves, weeds, twigs, grass cuttings and even real Christmas trees.

"Scheduled collections are made regularly every other week during peak gardening season March to November, then once a month from December to February.

"Why not sign up yourself and save the hassle of disposal? If you have a smaller garden or if you only garden occasionally, you can even share the cost and the wheelie bin with a neighbour. "

It says you can either buy the bin - which will be emptied for the year - or buy gift voucher.

The council says that the annual garden waste collection service costs the equivalent of just £1.15-a-week and is "exclusive to residents in the borough" and is "ideal if you are frequent gardener or if you are unable to home compost large amounts of garden waste yourself".