VILLAGERS were outraged after their bins were left uncollected for a month.

Rubbish was allowed to spill out of roadside bins and health and safety fears caused many to burn their household waste in their gardens.

They say problems started after Cheshire West and Chester Council introduced a new waste-collection and recycling system last month.

Margaret Lockett, of Long Acre, Burton, near Tarporley, told the Chronicle she had reported the problem to the local authority but the bins had remained uncollected.

She said: “Apart from last Friday we have only had one collection since the new bins were introduced.

“We persistently reported this to the council but nothing happened.

“It was becoming a health hazard, the next worry was that someone was going to get bitten by a rat. Many of the bins were really overflowing and some residents had taken to burning their rubbish, especially the papers.

“We are still unsure what day our bins are supposed to be collected.”

The bins outside houses in Burton – which is located just two miles from Tarporley, Cheshire’s best kept village 2009 – have now been collected but Cheshire West and Chester Council has reassured worried residents that the problem would be investigated.

Spokesman Mike McGivern said: “After changing the initial day of collection in this area, residents were provided with an updated information pack and calendar.

“A council waste officer will contact residents directly over the coming days to reiterate their collection details and address any outstanding concerns.”