A BIN lady is encouraging girls and women who are hesitant about working in male-dominated industries to go for it.

Sharron Webb, 47, works as a bin lady at Waltham Forest Council's waste depot in South Access Road, Walthamstow.

The mother-of-four has overcome depression, domestic violence, being diagnosed with lupus and having her home attacked by vandals.

Ms Webb, of Argyle Avenue in Walthamstow, lives with her two youngest children Kanesha, 16, and Andre, 11.

She said: “My kids absolutely love me being a bin lady and they’re really proud of me because it’s not an easy job to do.

“People say I’m too glamorous to be a bin lady - I always like getting my hair and nails done.

“When I first started I didn’t want anyone to see me in my uniform because I was embarrassed.

“I work with all men and when it’s the time of the month and I need to run to the toilet they don’t know what’s happening.

“But when I started the job they said if I needed any help with the heavy bins to just ask. I would definitely encourage other women to become bin ladies.”

Ms Webb lost her job as a manager at Paddy Power last year after being diagnosed with lupus.

Because of the pain she was in she said she couldn’t see how she would ever work again. But after months of treatment she landed her job in November and has never looked back.

Just a handful of women work in the waste collection department at Waltham Forest Council.

Ms Webb who is also mum to Marcus, 29, and Leon, 25, works alongside her eldest son at the waste depot.

She said: “I’ve been working ever since I left school and I’m used to being able to pay the bills so it was hard when I became unemployed and I struggled.

“I had to sell my car because I couldn’t afford insurance and it was devastating.

“I was depressed and down and I thought I wouldn’t be able to work again because of the pain I was in.

“I have been through a lot but I pulled through and I want to tell others who are having a hard time that there’s light at the end of the tunnel and there’s always hope.”

In addition to working with heavy equipment all day, Ms Webb has set up her own catering company, Zins Catering Cuisine.

She will be featured in the upcoming TV programme ‘Rich House Poor House’ which will see her and her children trade places with a wealthier family.

It will air on Channel 5 at 9pm on Thursday, April 13.