A PENSIONER who has been waiting for a month to have his food recycling bin emptied says he is coming to the end of his tether.

Ian Reid’s green bin was last emptied on December 19, but refuse collectors missed the next scheduled date on January 2.

The 66-year-old, from Longfield Road, in Deane, contacted the council to complain and was told it would be emptied the following Monday.

But it was again missed, and Mr Reid says that, despite repeated assurances a team will be dispatched to empty the bin, he is still waiting.

Mr Reid said: “It’s not the first time it’s not been done, but the third time on the run it’s not been done.

“They are saying the bin has not been put out and this, that and the other, I’m sick and tired of it.”

And he adds that, on the most recent collection date, his bin was put out between two of his neighbours’. But while theirs were emptied, his was not.

He added: “They keep saying it’s going to be done next week, then next week, but it’s never been done.

“It’s annoying to think that I put it out, but it just doesn’t get collected. I’m getting really fed up.”

“They say they can’t do anything , but they need to get workers out to empty it , it’s as simple as that. They are walking past it, it’s ridiculous the way they try to fob you off. I’ve got to the stage now that I’m not going to put up with it any more.

“They’re always coming up with excuses for why it’s not been done. I’m very placid, I won’t argue with anybody, but this is going way over the top.

And Mr Reid says that he and wife Freda, are getting increasingly concerned about potential health hazards.

“There are lots of rats on the croft near Asda, off Deane Church Lane, and if they find out there’s food in our bin they are going to be in it.

“ I’ve been bringing it back in, day in and day out for the last three weeks.

“Freda is getting annoyed, she can’t stand the site of rats, if she sees a mouse she jumps, so I can just imagine if she sees a big rat.”