Sanitary bins installed in men's toilets in county

Sanitary bins have been installed at several male public toilets in a county following a similar move in a neighbouring one.

The decision by Herefordshire Council was due to a "lack of support and infrastructure" which had "a real impact on countless men", the authority said.

A third of men aged over 65 have some form of incontinence and the lack of facilities could see them avoid going out and lead to isolation and loneliness, a spokesperson added.

The move came after businesses and public buildings in Worcestershire in May began installing them after a campaign by prostate cancer patient Ian Smith.

The 64-year-old wrote to organisations to highlight how gents' loos lack anywhere to hygienically bin incontinence products.

Nationally, a "Boys Need Bins" campaign has also called for a change in the law to make sanitary bins compulsory.

Matt Pearce, Herefordshire Council's director of public health, said relatively little attention was paid to supporting men who have issues with incontinence.

About one in three men over 65 will experience urinary incontinence issues while one in 20 men aged 60 and over will experience bowel incontinence, according to charity Prostate Cancer UK.

“The lack of support and infrastructure is having a real impact on countless men” said Mr Pearce.

“We are pleased to have been able to install these sanitary bins," he added.

“They are a simple way to provide the opportunity and support for men who are affected by incontinence to live their lives without fear or embarrassment.”

Last summer the minister for women, Maria Caulfield, said the government was looking into the issue.

Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to: [email protected]