'We want our own bins!'

Fed-up neighbours say that the communal set-up in their street has become a magnet for fly-tippers to dump rubbish

- Jon Bamber [e-mail]

FAMILIES are calling for a council to let them have their own bins.

Residents of one side of South Street, Ball Green, put their rubbish in communal bins at the top and bottom of the street after Stoke-on-Trent City Council took away their individual bins.

But they say the communal bins, which are not locked, are always overflowing as other people dump their rubbish in them.

And they say fly-tipping is a major problem with items including sofas and mattresses being left there.

They say the overflowing rubbish has led to rats being spotted. Now they are calling for the city council to give them their own bins.

Courtney Chell, aged 26, and her partner Alex Spruce, also 26, moved into their terraced property in the street last year.