Householders left frustrated at not having their bins collected are now taking action themselves.

Rubbish is continuing to pile up on the streets in Brighton and Hove as the backlog created by unofficial strike action earlier this month remains uncleared.

Some have threatened to stop paying their council tax while others are considering using private contractors to clear away the rubbish and then send Brighton and Hove City Council the bill.

George Mower, 66, of Hardwick Road, Hove, says he will be stopping his council tax payment for a month after rubbish was left uncollected for almost three weeks.

Rats He said: “There is rubbish piled up by all the gates. It is disgusting.

“I saw two rats running around it.

“There are a lot of children living in this area. It’s a health hazard.

“I’ve already taken two trips to the tip.“ I’m stopping my council tax as a result. I’m using my car and it’s my labour so why should I pay? Let them take me to court if they want to.”

Carol Bishop, of Woodland Avenue, Hove, has not had her rubbish collected since before the bank holiday at the start of May.

She said: “My husband thinks our bins are probably breeding maggots.

There are a lot of foxes around here and it is becoming a health hazard.”

Nappies

Ashley Hunt, of Vale Avenue, Patcham, says that if his and his neighbours’ rubbish is not collected today, they will pay for a private firm to collect it.

He said: “I’ve got a good mind to send the council the bill. Cleaning up rubbish is a basic task and it simply isn't being done.

“I’ve got three young children and my next door neighbour has an eight-month- old baby. We have got 15-day old nappies in the bins.”

The row broke out after the council said it was revamping its allowances system for workers.

Thousands of its staff will be better off due to the changes but 260 Cityclean workers will lose out.

Unions say workers could be out of pocket by up to ÂŁ4,000 a year but the council says it would be closer to ÂŁ1,000.

The GMB has opened a ballot for an official strike, which if supported, could take place next month.

"No significant risk"

Council chief executive Penny Thompson said crews were back at work following their action on May 8 and 9 but disruption to collections was ongoing as they continued to work to rule.

She said: “We are trying to reduce the impact of the dispute by sending out extra crews with agency staff and hired-in vehicles.

“We are working hard with our staff and unions to get our service back to normal. We are doing everything we can to minimise the disruption and to keep as many vehicles as possible on the road.

“Nevertheless, I am sorry for any inconvenience.”

Brighton and Hove director of public health Tom Scanlon said: “At present there is no indication on any significant public health risk from the bins that have not been emptied in the city. The council is closely monitoring the situation, and the public health and environmental health teams are working together to ensure that should any public health risk emerge, then prompt and effective action is taken.”