White Rose shopping centre puts sanitary bins in men's toilets

The White Rose centre's director said installing the bins was a "no brainer"

Sanitary bins have been added to men's toilets at a shopping centre in Leeds in support of people with incontinence.

The Boys for Bins initiative was started by charity Prostate Cancer UK to help men with incontinence feel more comfortable in public toilets.

White Rose centre shopper Susan Childs, whose father died from the disease and whose husband has it, raised the issue.

Centre director Steven Foster said it was a "no brainer" in making the public toilets fit for purpose.

Incontinence is a side effect of prostate cancer treatment and Prostate Cancer UK says men can face anxiety over what to do with used incontinence pads.

Susan Childs (far right) lost her father to prostate cancer 12 years ago

The charity said this meant many men spent less time out of the house, with some being forced to carry used pads due to the lack of facilities to dispose of them hygienically.

Mrs Childs, who helps raise awareness around the disease, said: "We'd be shocked if we went into the female toilets and there weren't any bins.

"After 10 years of hosting information and awareness stands it became apparent there was a problem.

"Lots of men used to mention it to us. They weren't going out. They were wearing their pads too long because they had nowhere to change."

Mrs Childs said she raised the issue with a member of cleaning staff coming out of the men's toilets.

"As soon as I told her all about it she was supportive, she got me a card to send my ideas in and it was just that one conversation and one email."

Prostate cancer statistics

• Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men

• One in eight men in the UK will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime

• About 490,000 men in the UK are living with and after prostate cancer

• 40% will experience life-long urinary problems

Source: Prostate Cancer UK

Mr Foster said everyone should feel welcome and comfortable at the centre.

He added: "We were really shocked to hear the figures... and we're really grateful Sue has helped educate us to remove another barrier."

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