A GREEN campaigner is demanding bins for Ardgowan Estate and the nearby Inverkip beach to stop it becoming a rubbish tip.

Allison Black says irresponsible litter louts are ruining the picturesque spot.

The dog walker says food packets and bottles are strewn all over the ground.

A dog waste bin is in place but there are no containers for general refuse and Allison wants the council to provide bins and empty them.

Allison said: “There should be a general use bin there.

“The land is owned by Sir Ludovic Shaw Stewart and the council goes down to empty a dog bin but there’s nothing for general rubbish.

“Why should Sir Shaw Stewart pay for the public leaving rubbish on his land?

“He allows people to walk through his grounds for them to dump all their rubbish round about.

“The beach is owned by The Crown.

“I don’t see the Queen coming up to clear the beach.”

The council says its hands are tied because it does not own the land.

A council spokesman said: “As it is private ground we are not in a position to install and regularly service litter bins.

“That would be a matter for the owners.

“An arrangement was reached a number of years ago to install two dog-fouling bins which we empty twice a week.

“We would ask people to act responsibly by taking any rubbish with them to dispose of at home or in other litter bins.”

A spokesman for Ardgowan Estate said: “The estate welcomes responsible public access.

“We lease various areas of the estate to Inverclyde Council and have a maintenance agreement on some paths on the estate.”

He added that he understood the installation and maintenance of bins were the responsibility of the council as part of this agreement.

But said: “We are willing to enter into discussions with the council should they not agree with this aspect.”