It has already been the subject of much controversy among people who live in an exclusive seafront square.

But now residents of Brunswick Square in Hove say this wheelie bin simply has to go after it and its contents were dumped on the bonnet of an expensive sports car.

It was the last straw in the row over the bin, which normally resides in one of the porches. It is supposed to cater for the rubbish for 16 flats in the six storey property.

But it is often full to the brim just hours after being emptied by refuse collectors and for the rest of the week, rubbish sacks spew from its top onto the pavement and the road, where seagulls rip the bags open.

Now the bin has caused £1,000 worth of damage to a BMW Z3 after being thrown onto it.

Residents say they have asked the landlord and Brighton and Hove City Council to improve rubbish storage for the building.

The owner of the car, who did not want to be named, said: "We have all been complaining about the bin. It is constantly left in the porch and is a temptation for people walking past."

Neighbour Tom Chavasse said: "We have been fighting to get rid of this wheelie bin because we knew something like this would happen. "

A spokeswoman for the council said: "We have not had any complaints about this wheelie bin but our enforcement team would be happy to talk to the residents and landlord about providing storage for rubbish which is acceptable."