LITTER was left strewn on the streets of Portland by council binmen who left it where they found it, a resident has claimed.

Peter Allington, of Verne Common Road on the island, took this picture in nearby Harbour View Road after the weekly collection.

He says he has been pushing Weymouth and Portland Borough Council for months to do something about the ongoing problem.

Mr Allington, 60, said: "People are not supposed to put their bins out on the pavement - they're supposed to be left in private gardens - but people do it anyway.

"But if a bin liner has been left out and it splits open then it should be up to the binmen to clean it up.

"They are supplied with brushes and shovels."

Former Royal Navy driver Mr Allington added: "On occasions when I have complained in the past the council has just sent out a couple of people later that day to sweep it up and take it away.

"Why can't the binmen do that as they go round? They've got brushes and shovels too.

"It's a waste of resources to send people out twice.

"I think it's a disgraceful situation and something needs to be done about it."

Borough council environment spokesman Coun Doug Hollings said: "The introduction of organic kitchen waste collections in the area of Verne Common Road has helped reduce the issue of gulls scavenging for food within domestic waste collections.

"Clearly it is important that residents put all food waste into their brown bins and that all their waste is managed in a responsible manner.

"I would urge all residents to help by keeping their own environment clean and tidy.

"Waste spilled by the refuse crews will be picked up by them.

"However, spoil caused by residents putting bags out too early and without adequate protection, sometimes require a sweeper team to be deployed."