A GROUP of islanders are up in arms after hundreds of wheelie bins were 'dumped' outside their terraced houses on Portland.

Residents of Belle Vue Terrace on Portland were even more dismayed as they believed they were exempt from the controversial new wheeled bin scheme.

The green and brown plastic bins have now been distributed to properties in the hilly area of Fortuneswell and will soon be delivered to other areas across Portland and Weymouth.

Collections are due to start at the end of the month. Most residents received letters informing them about the changeover from weekly bin bag collection to a new wheeled bin system but still oppose the move.

Retired health visitor Josie Alcock, from Guernsey Street, could not believe her eyes when she drove along Hambro Street to see rows of wheelie bins.

She said: "It looked so funny but it's going to be quite serious. It's absolute madness.

"These are terraced houses. It's so impractical."

Weymouth and Portland Borough Council is hoping that the wheeled bins will help reduce the amount of household waste going into landfill sites.

They also hope it will help solve the problem of scavenging seagulls and foxes.

However, many householders believe that the problems far outweigh the benefits.

Some are concerned that the new 180-litre and 120-litre bins will not only look unsightly but also obstruct the narrow pavements.

Retired photographer Valerie Vincent, of Belle Vue Terrace, said: "We just cannot see how people are going to manage them.

"We are all old age pensioners. It's absolutely stupid."

Another Belle Vue Terrace resident, Steve Tell, said his neighbour had received news that their road would not be receiving the new bins and would be sticking with the previous refuse collection system.

He added: "We didn't think we were getting them. It's ridiculous."

Environment and transport representative Councillor Doug Hollings said: "The introduction of a wheeled bin kerbside recycling service is essential if we in Weymouth and Portland are to play our part in protecting the earth's scarce resources and looking after our precious environment for future generations.

"A very small number of residents have expressed individual concerns and these will be addressed."