AFTER years of vandalism and littering at the World War One memorial in Cowdenbeath it's been agreed that a new bin would be a "good idea".

Local SNP councillor Bailey Lee-Robb said the monument, on a hill to the north of High Street, had long been a magnet for trouble.

He said: "Concerns have been raised consistently over the last number of months, and indeed years, about the anti-social behaviour and mess that is constantly left up at Cowdenbeath War Memorial."

Cllr Lee Robb made a site visit last week with members of Fife Council's street cleansing staff, who are on site three times a week to pick up other people's rubbish, while a local volunteers also helps out on a "goodwill basis".

On his Facebook page he explained: "We agreed that the provision of a new, fixed, metal bin would be a good idea so that hopefully some visitors can put their rubbish in the bin, as well as making it easier for the bags to be emptied by staff.

"Hopefully, this can go some way in tackling the littering at our memorial.

"However, it would be ideal if young people found another hangout for their antics!"

Central Fife Times: Bags were filled with rubbish and new wreaths laid after vandalism and anti-social behaviour at the war memorial in April 2021. Bags were filled with rubbish and new wreaths laid after vandalism and anti-social behaviour at the war memorial in April 2021. (Image: Newsquest)

Serious incidents have thankfully been rare of late but two youths were charged in June 2018 after setting a fire at the war memorial and another four were arrested in April 2021 after wreaths were ripped to pieces and scattered on the ground.

Wheelie bins were taken to the site and set on fire in October 2021 and Fife Council said specialist repairs would be needed after the monument was damaged again the following month, just one day after Remembrance Sunday.

The youths involved also abused local residents and urinated in nearby gardens.

New wooden fencing was installed along the boundary at the back of the war memorial for added security but in October 2022, after the council failed to get the specialist repairs done, local man Alex Haddow took it upon himself to restore the memorial.