A BUSINESSMAN has blasted Blackburn with Darwen council over a "misleading" leaflet and is calling on residents to stop paying council tax until the problem is sorted out.

Ian Preston, 51, of Sunnyhurst Lane, Darwen, said the council's "ambiguous" environmental charter gives the impression rubbish will be collected weekly.

It states: "The council will collect domestic rubbish from households within the borough each week."

For 18,000 homes, wheelie bin rubbish is collected every two weeks and recyclable materials collected weekly.

And following a pilot scheme in which Mr Preston took part, the scheme is to be extended to 24,000 homes next month.

He said the council should reverse the system and collect wheelie bin rubbish weekly and recyclable waste fortnightly.

"I think the charter is ambiguous and they are breaking it straight away," said Mr Preston "When the council is obviously looking to save money by moving to fortnightly collections for all, why is it spending money on glossy leaflets telling us something different?

"I would also suggest that, if the council is happy to break the terms of its charter, then what's to stop council taxpayers withholding their payments?"

The business consultant, who lives with wife, Linda, 49, and children Jennifer, 24, and John, 23, said his family is very keen on recycling. "We recycle religiously, but our wheelie bin fills up in a week so I find myself taking rubbish to the tip."

Councillor Mohammed Khan, executive member for housing and neighbourhoods, said: "We are extending our separated weekly collection service to a further 24,000 properties.

"To ensure a trouble free transition we are launching a publicity drive with householders who are due to receive notification of the changes over the next few weeks.

"The council has to recycle more waste to avoid stiff financial penalties imposed when we send too much waste to landfill sites.

"We are pleased to say Blackburn with Darwen Council recycled over 24 per cent of its waste in the last financial year, but much more recycling is needed to help us keep council tax down and avoid these hefty fines."