PILES of overflowing rubbish at a bottle bank in Buntingford have sparked concern over the ­frequency of rubbish ­collections. The bins outside the Co-op store in the High Street were overflowing with bottles and newspaper which had spilled over on to the

PILES of overflowing rubbish at a bottle bank in Buntingford have sparked concern over the ­frequency of rubbish ­collections.

The bins outside the Co-op store in the High Street were overflowing with bottles and newspaper which had spilled over on to the ground.

And the fortnightly bin collections meant that the bins at the store had not been emptied after Christmas until this week.

Buntingford town councillor, Debbie le May, said: "The revolting mess in the Co-op car park indicates that Buntingford residents are keen to recycle and don't need to be threatened with 'alternate weekly' collections to force them to do so.

"It's such a pity that East Herts Council is not alert to the likelihood that people would eat and drink more over the festive period and would want to recycle more, therefore necessitating the bins being emptied more regularly.

"I hope that when the bins are finally emptied, the contractors don't just run their vehicles over whatever is not in the bins but make an effort to collect all the side rubbish as well."

A spokesman for East Herts Council said: "At this time of year there is higher demand for collections.

"Extra collections were put on but unfortunately we are running a little behind.

"We hope to be back on track by the end of the week.