They live at Highbank on the southern edge of the town and say they have been waiting a year for their problem to be solved.

The families have protested to their landlords and refuse collection authority Mid Sussex Council that weekly landfill collections are being missed because their usual brick bin 'shelter' is too small and overflows with black sacks.

The families say that to add to their dismay foxes and birds break open the sacks and scatter rubbish.

The council said this week after being contacted by the Mid Sussex Times that it was working with a housing association to improve the facilities as soon as possible.

The families say they are delighted at the quality of the social housing in their street on the Bolnore estate but disappointed it is being turned into a dump by the lack of bin space.

Speaking on behalf of the residents who have complained, young mother Helen Woolse said: "The point we are trying to make is that this has been going on for a year and nothing has been done.
"On a regular basis I would come out and clear this up, but we are at the end of our tether. Why should I come down and clear it up?"

The council said it had arranged to clear the rubbish.

Councillor Gary Wall, cabinet member for leisure and outdoor services, said: "The district council responded to residents' concerns by arranging for extra landfill collections for Highbanks at Bolnore Village.

"In the past, some landfill waste has been placed in the recycling bins, which contaminates the load, and means it cannot be collected.

"When this issue was brought to our attention, Mid Sussex District Council arranged for a clean up team to remove the excess landfill.

"Hyde Housing has confirmed plans to increase the waste storage capacity at Highbanks and are working closely with us to deliver these new facilities as quickly as possible. The council will follow this action with a letter to all residents that clearly explains which bins will be used for landfill and which are for recycling."

Full story in the Mid Sussex Times