VIP treat for bin lorry fan age 11

A boy of 11 who loves bin lorries got to ride in a brand new one after being invited to Erewash Borough Council’s depot – where he was thrilled to learn the truck will bear his name.

Jerome Gooden has been “obsessed” with dustcarts since he was a toddler, according to his mum Bridget.

He has built a collection of around a dozen toy ones, plays games by emptying containers he dots around his Ilkeston home – and waits at the window on bin days for dust crews to turn up.

Bridget revealed: “It’s been going on since he was aged around two. He has even recorded videos of bin days, which he watches on his iPad – along with YouTube films of lorries tipping rubbish at the dump.”

The youngster, who is a pupil at Brackenfield SEND School in Long Eaton, was given a half-term tour of Erewash Borough Council’s depot in Ilkeston after the mum got in touch.

He got to sit behind the wheel of the latest addition to the borough’s 20-strong fleet – and was invited to press the button at the back to see a wheelie bin being lifted. Jerome, his sister Rose, 23, and their mum were then taken for a spin in the lorry – to the nearby dump.

It was on their return to the depot on Quarry Hill Industrial Estate that the youngster was informed that the council’s refuse trucks all have names – and that the new one will be called Jerome.

His mum asked if the lorry might be coming to their street – and her son reacted with glee as she was informed it may even make a special trip. 

Erewash Borough Councillor Mark Alfrey, who is Lead Member for Environment, said: “The name will take pride of place on the front of the new truck. We urge residents to keep an eye out for ‘Jerome The Bin Lorry’ as it does its rounds!

“Staff were delighted to engage with Jerome and his sister Rose after the invitation to look around the fleet and take a ride in one of the lorries during the half-term break. I look forward to inviting Jerome back to the Merlin Way depot in the future.” 

Pictured: above right: Bin lorry fan Jerome, mum Bridget and daughter Rose