‘SMART’ bins which tell the council when they are full are to be piloted in Glasgow.

The bins make use of smart technology with sensors that alert the waste service to empty bins when full.

Similar technology will also be piloted in street lights to make energy savings and cut emissions.

Glasgow, together with Edinburgh, Stirling, Perth and Dundee, will trial the technology as part of a £24million plan to help make Scottish cities “world-leading” innovation hubs.

Glasgow City Council leader Frank McAveety said: “Glasgow, as lead city for this programme in Scotland, worked with our partners across the country both to submit this bid and show how the use of data can benefit us all socially and economically.

“Our success in pioneering smart city technologies is something we will continue to build on to deliver transformed services for residents, businesses and visitors.”

The Smart Cities Scotland programme aims to make services from street lighting to healthcare more efficient and greener while making the cities more attractive to potential investors.

It was allocated £10m in European Regional Development Funding, which is to be matched with £14m from the cities taking part.

Other projects include an innovation hub in Perth to develop new digital businesses and an open data platform where cities can share analysis for best practice.

Economy Secretary Keith Brown said: “Through the Scottish Cities Alliance we are working to boost Scotland’s cities and make them smarter.

“That’s why I’m pleased to see this programme move into its delivery phase, with the wide range of projects announced today set to make our cities more efficient and greener.

“This £24m investment will use smart city technology to transform our cities into world-leading digital hubs.”