A FORMER Spain resident is calling on the council to transform its bin collection service after returning to what he labels as the 'worst eyesore in Warrington'.

Bernard Holland, who lives on Thorneycroft Drive, Fairfield, wants the authority to introduce a system similar to the one in place in many countries across Europe.

The 71-year-old has highlighted the alarming levels of waste being left out next to bins around his area but – despite his anger at the situation – he expressed some sympathy for the council.

He said: "I have to look out over the worst eyesore in Warrington – it is the same every three to four weeks.

"Where I live, I overlook the petrol station at Sainsbury's.

"Fly-tipping and waste being left out are the main issues at part of Dalton Bank. On Dalton Bank there are a lot of rentals, so there is a fast turnover of residents.

"I have just returned from living in Spain and the system in Europe is residents put refuse in the bins and any household items are left for collection by the council.

"Anything you put out by the bin for the bin men is collected.

"A lot of people living in this area in the town are from an EU country and put a lot of things next to the bin.

"They are not being anti-social by what they are doing – they just don't understand our refuse collection service.

"The council is addressing the fly-tipping as much as it can – but it is getting worse.

"The council does not have the numbers it used to have to deal with it due to cuts.

"I do think the council has to change its policy.

"It should have the same policy as they have in countries across Europe and collect loose stuff at the side of bins too."

A council spokesman said there has been an overall reduction in kerbside residual waste collected across the borough from nearly 48,000 tonnes in 2010 to 40,000 tonnes in 2016.

He added: "We introduced the 'no side waste' policy and the 'flat lid policy' in 2006.

"This was to reduce the mess caused by bags of waste left at the side of bins, reduce the amount of waste and protect the health and safety of our employees.

"The waste and street services teams are aware of the local and national increase in fly-tipping and are working closely with the environmental enforcement team to help combat the issue.

"Hopefully, through this joint-working, we will see a reduction in this nuisance."