CIVIC chiefs have unveiled a new way for residents to report problems such as dangerous potholes or flytipping in Southampton.

The city council has launched a smartphone app which will allow residents to report issues directly to the authority.

Following a trial by council staff, the app, which cost £12,000 to implement, has now been made availableto the public, and can be downloaded for iPhones and Android phones.

The Recycle for Southampton app allows residents to check household waste and recycling collection dates, check where the nearest recycling points are and what items can be recycled at home.

It also allows you to set reminders for collection days as well as receiving news and updates.

And it can also be used to report issues you have spotted in the street, such as flytipping, faulty streetlights or potholes.

City council leader Simon Letts said: “This is for all of the things that people moan about on a day to day basis, such as potholes or broken streetlights, and it’s a quick and effective way for people to talk to the council.”

He announced earlier this year that the council is looking at ways of becoming more effective by operating certain services online.

The council has also launched its Bin It To Win It reward scheme which will offer prizes for residents who recycle correctly.

Residents who put the correct items in their blue-lidded bins every fortnight will be automatically entered in a draw to win one of 22 prizes, which include vouchers to spend at local shops, leisure centres and attractions, or can be donated to local charities.

Residents living in houses have already received information, including a sticker be put on recycling bins, while people living in flats will receive it during this month.

Council environment chief Jacqui Rayment said: “It’s one of our ambitions as a council to get every household in Southampton recycling more.

“Recycling saves us all money, helps to protect the environment for future generations and is good for the local economy.

“We hope all our residents recycle as much as they can and get on board with the ‘Bin It To Win It’ initiative so we can start to transform Southampton into one of the recycling powerhouses of the south.”