COUNCIL gritters were despatched to an cooking oil spill in a city centre lane that leaked onto one of Glasgow’s busiest streets.

Bins used for storing vegetable oil used by restaurants were knocked over in West George Lane.

The oil leaked down St Vincent Street and onto Hope Street creating a potential hazard for motorists and pedestrians.

The area has now been made safe by the council's gritters following the incident, which is thought to have happened at the weekend.

Glasgow Times: The spill leaked onto Hope Street from West George Lane

A council spokeswoman said: "We have a duty to make sure the area is safe.

"We will however also investigate the spillage and take action against any business found to be non compliant with their waste disposal.

A six-month pilot has got underway to help clean up city centre lanes and streets.

Any commercial waste containers found on the streets or lanes of the eight pilot areas in the city centre centre outwits designated times will be removed.

Businesses are given specific uplift times within an hour window - if bins are left out at another time then they are confiscated and held for 28 days before being destroyed - and the business will be charged for costs incurred.

If successful, it will be rolled out across the whole city centre.