'We do not know what we're paying them to do'

£118 estate upkeep bill criticised

- Jon Bamber

RESIDENTS have hit out at the state of where they live - and questioned what they are paying a £118-a-year maintenance fee for.

They live on the Victoria Park estate in Stoke - built on the site of the old Victoria Ground - and pay the annual fee to FirstPort.

But they say weeds have sprouted up on the estate - and say the maintenance fee should differ depending on the size of the house.

John Wilson has labelled the charge an 'unofficial second council tax bill'

John, of John Ritchie Street, said: "This looks like a council estate.

"FirstPort do not attend as frequently as they should.

"We are asking for a cost breakdown so we can understand how and why each household is being charged.