LANCASHIRE County Council is looking at securing commercial sponsorship of grit bins to help raise cash.

Its transport boss Cllr Keith Iddon has told the authority’s Internal Scrutiny Committee the move is ‘possible’ but suggested it could be more appropriate to use existing roadside salt containers than to pay for new ones.

The county council provides grit bins to help the public clear ice and snow in 12 districts including Hyndburn, Ribble Valley, Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale.

Its Labour group leader Cllr Azhar Ali said the authority’s Tory leadership’s consideration of the idea was ‘a sign of desperation’.

Cllr Iddon said: “The sponsorship of grit bins is possible however further discussion will be needed with district council officers to see how they would view any proposed sponsorship arrangement in accordance with legislation before the council could confidently press forwards with any policy changes or introductions.

“If the sponsorship of grit bins was permitted, it may be prudent for this to be in relation to existing grit bins on the network rather than introducing new grit bins.”

Nelson East’s Cllr Ali said: “This is a a sign of the administration’s desperation in the face of government cuts.”

Blackburn with Darwen Council’s highways boss Cllr Phil Riley said: “It is not something we have considered before but we are always open to new ideas.”