Widow had bin last emptied in November

A disabled widow today said her recycling bin had not been emptied since November.

Jeanette Jones, who lives in a flat near Willenhall town centre, said nothing was done after repeated calls to Walsall Council.

Mrs Jones, aged 79, said she suffered two mice infestations recently as a result. The great-grandmother, who has to walk with sticks, said: "It is very upsetting. I don't feel as though anyone is listening to me.

"The recycling bin is full now and I'm having to put things in with the normal rubbish but I'm worried they will tell me off or give me a fine.

"I have called them time and time again but the people on the other end of the phone are just paid to push buttons, not to listen."

Collections were missed as a result of the bad weather in December and the council had to send street cleaners out to help the binmen clear rubbish and recycling from icy and narrow side streets the 26-ton refuse trucks struggled to access.

Council chiefs today apologised to Mrs Jones and said they would contact her today to organise a collection as soon as possible.