Jerome Gooden, 11, has been ‘obsessed’ with dustcarts since he was a toddler, according to his mum Bridget.
‘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,’ she said.
The youngster, who is a pupil at Brackenfield SEND School in Long Eaton, was given a half-term tour of Erewash 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 where it was revealed the truck would be named Jerome.
Erewash 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!’
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