Soham is welcoming the arrival of its new wheelie bins by launching a town-wide competition.

Residents are being asked to come up with designs for the best looking bin in town, with the winners seeing their designs transferred onto their own wheeled bin which they can then display outside their house.

Nothing is off limits, from zebra stripes and leopard print, to polka dots or dragon scales.

The competition, which is being sponsored by James Graven’s Budgens, is open to three different categories; primary, up to age 11, secondary, up to age 18, and adult, for those aged 19 and older.

Caroline Bosworth, of James Graven, said: “This idea very much came out of the Soham Debate Facebook page and ShapeYourPlace and seemed like a real bit of fun that we were happy to get involved with.

“There has been lots of interest in the town surrounding the bins and this is a response to that. I’m looking forward to seeing what designs people come up with.”

To enter, residents will need to pick up an entry form from Budgens, in Clay Street, or their local primary school. When their design is complete, the form must be returned to Budgens where judging will take place.

There will be plenty of prizes on offer for the wackiest designs, but the three overall winners will see their design printed on a full-size wheelie bin, courtesy of Soham artists Liz Johnson, that they can take home.

The closing date for the competition is October 26.