'TEETHING problems' have been blamed for gaps in a new recycling service launched in West Devon which has seen thousands of residents, including the borough mayor and Tavistock's mayor, without a recycling box.

The green box scheme for recycling cardboard, tin cans, newspaper and for the first time, glass, started on November 19 but hit snags immediately.

Special vehicles ordered to cope with the five West Devon collection rounds did not arrive on time, with the result that many boxes could not be emptied.

And despite extra staff deliveries, many households did not receive their lidded green boxes on time.

Now, more than a month after the new scheme was introduced, many residents are still waiting for their recycling boxes to be delivered.

The mayor of Tavistock, Cllr Norma Woodcock, has no box.

Neither has the mayor of West Devon, Cllr Robin Pike.

Cllr Pike said: 'It's about time we got one really — I've been on to them, but we're still waiting.

'I've made representations as a councillor about this, it's one of those things.'

Cllr Woodcock said: 'I think it's a mark of its success that there are difficulties. I look forward to getting my box — in the meantime I shall continue to recycle at the tip.'

John Howells of Dousland said he has made seven phone calls to the borough council in an attempt to get a box delivered.

He said: 'I have been told I am on the list three times and not to bother to contact client services again.

'It's nice to know I have three entries on the list — but it has not brought any action.

'I am at a loss as to what to do next to get a box.'

Despite repeated phone calls, residents at Yelverton, Bere Alston and Princetown are also without boxes.

Tony Adamson, operations director for Focsa which runs the scheme on behalf of the borough council, said he was in the hands of the sub-contractor, Plysu.

Mr Adamson said: 'We and the council are all working together to try and solve the muddle.

'The boxes are there, they have been delivered and unloaded — the problem is knowing where they have got to go and delivering them in an orderly fashion.

'Both Focsa and the council are caught in the middle of this and we regret very much that people have not got their boxes.'

Mr Adamson said the collection vehicle fleet is now complete and although there were still 'one or two teething problems', the recycling service was proceeding well.

'Putting in any new system, and this one is particularly awkward because of the geography of this part of the world, takes a little time to settle down. We know it's getting better and we are gradually getting on top of the problems.'

Plysu managers declined to comment.

But borough council spokesperson Alison Stoneham was optimistic that residents should be receiving their boxes soon.

Mrs Stoneham said: 'I am told that Focsa is taking over the distribution of the boxes and will be delivering the backlog of some 2,000 boxes in West Devon.'