COMPLAINTS were made this week after waste was left to rot in household refuse bins on a Tavistock residential estate.

Fifty-one apartments of St John's Court at Abbey Rise were affected and left residents fuming after contractor FCC failed to empty household bins completely, owing to a mechanical fault on the collection lorry's lifting gear.

Resident Tony Newell said the last two collections were 'disasters', as foul smelling rubbish was left at the bottom of bins.

Mr Nowell said: 'The men removed the top half of the contents of the four large, green bins out of their good hearts and are to be congratulated.

'The bins have been almost full for a week and owing to the fact that the bottom half of each bin's contents had been left behind now for six weeks, the atmosphere is extremely unpleasant as they are stored indoors.

'This week, although out of rotation, a lorry arrived but his lifting gear was again non-operational. Our six large bins are now full.'

Helen Dobby, West Devon Borough Council's head of environment services, on Tuesday told the Times: 'The council and our contractor, FCC, apologise for the disruption to service at St John's Court, Abbey Rise in Tavistock.'

'Mr Newell should have been kept better informed about the issues our contractor was having with their lifting equipment.

'Whilst it was very helpful of the crew concerned to part-empty the bins when the machinery broke down, FCC is required to fully empty the bins and this did not happen.

'FCC says the mechanical failure has been repaired and the bins will be fully emptied today.

'Normal service will resume from Friday, which is the usual collection day.

'The council would like to reassure residents that this issue has been taken seriously and will be monitored in future to ensure service remains consistent.'