RESIDENTS from a new housing estate in Darwen claim the council is playing dirty over a rubbish row in their street.

Michelle Leek (pictured) and Matthew Collins, both 22, were surprised when refuse collectors refused to empty their bins this week and at least four of their neighbours were also left with uncollected rubbish.

"We couldn't believe our ears when we were told the reason," explained Michelle, who moved into her new home in Westminster Close, Darwen, in October.

"Apparently, even though we have got a perfectly good wheelie bin, we have to fork out £52.04 for another one which is exactly the same, or we can't have our rubbish collected.

"Other people, who have brought their bin from their previous addresses, have been told the same thing.

"It is ridiculous."

Lee added: "The close is starting to look a real mess with all the rubbish that has been left. Something needs to be sorted out."

A spokesman for Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council said: "Everybody who moves into a new property has to buy their first bin. Bins belong to the house and not an individual. They should be left at properties when people move.

"It would be unfair to expect the rest of the community who comply to the rules to subsidise others."

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