THE man who originally found the caffeine claims he repeatedly tried to have it removed.

Paul Kirby, 22, said he found the caffeine containers in a black bag dumped on the back street behind his home in Ribblesdale Street about two weeks ago.

He consulted his medical dictionary to see what the substance was and then sought advice from a local chemist's shop. He was told it was only toxic if taken in large amounts.

Mr Kirby said: "I called at the police station to report it and was advised to tell the council.

"I went to the Town Hall and they gave me a Preston number to ring for toxic waste disposal.''

Mr Kirby said he rang several times but says he kept being put through to a skip unit and told he could pay to have it removed.

He said: "I was getting nowhere. I was given the impression it was not worth bothering about so I gave up.''

Mr Kirby, a driver, returned from making a delivery to London and saw that the bag had gone from his back yard. He added: 'I did what I thought was right but I was just being given the run around.''

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