‘Refuse workers broke my bin – why should I have to pay for new one?’

Stephen Hussey with his broken bin, which Ashford Borough Council initially refused to replace for free (Picture: Cover Media)

A homeowner was told to fork out for a new recycling bin despite claiming it was broken by waste collectors.

Stephen Hussey found the lid had been ripped off his 240-litre green recycling bin when he brought it in from his drive in Mersham, near Ashford, Kent.

The 63-year-old complained to Ashford Borough Council (ABC), only to be told he would have to stump up £34 for a replacement as he could not prove refuse workers were responsible for the damage.

But after he contacted local media, the council apologised and offered to replace it free of charge.

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