A Falmouth resident sent us these pictures of Stracey Road, Wellington Terrace and Margaret Place in Falmouth all full of rubbish after black bags were ripped open on bin day, probably by seagulls.

It is a scene that is repeated all over Falmouth on a regular basis. Is it about time that we started fining people who put their bin bags out too early or not adequately protected?

There is really no excuse as Falmouth Town Council recently took delivery of 11,000 seagull-proof sacks.

Thanks to a partnership with Falmouth University and the University of Exeter, the sacks are being offered free of charge to residents of Falmouth and are available to collect from a number of shops.

At the time Simon Penna, the town council's grounds and facilities manager, said: "The aim is to get these into every household in Falmouth. They are only available to residents in Falmouth and will not be emptied in any other town."

The sacks can hold six standard bin bags, have a Velcro fastening lid, two carry handles and are extremely tough. The idea is that, if used properly, they will prevent seagulls and any vermin, from tearing apart the regular bin bags and so prevent rubbish from being strewn across streets.

They are available to collect from Tesco in Killigrew Street, Marks and Spencer and Trago Mills as well as the One Stop Shop in Church Street and the Beacon Resource Office at the top of Old Hill.

Anyone who has any questions about the sacks should call Falmouth Town Council on 01326 315559.

What do you think? Should we be fining people for putting their rubbish out too early or unprotected?

Let us know in the comments section below.