A council has vowed to learn from its mistakes after going more than £500,000 over budget on recycling.

Hastings Borough Council's Audit Committee met last night to compose a statement of "deep dismay" after poor management led to the huge overspend.

Councillors, chief executive Roy Mawford and director of environment and safety Richard Homewood apologised.

Chairman of the committee Councillor Peter Smith said: "They have lost not only a lot of money but also the reputation of Hastings council and its elected members over this. It's the worst case for 30 years."

The committee accepted three independent reports which blamed the overspend on a lack of experience by waste manager Peter Hooper and his team and which pointed the finger at senior councillors for failing to get involved.

Mr Hooper took early retirement from the then Labour-led authority in December 2005 before the first overspend was revealed.

The Argus reported last month that in January 2006 the authority, which spends £16 million a year, found it had gone over budget on recycling by £366,000, and an internal audit was ordered. By June unexpected costs had pushed the total up by a further £180,000, leading to an overspend equivalent to eight per cent of the borough's council tax income.

Coun Smith said action has been taken to ensure the overspend is never repeated.

A new accounting system used by other councils including Lewes District, is being used. All bills sent to the council will go to the treasury before being scanned and uploaded on to a central system.

To rein in spending, the materials recycling facility in the town has been closed and recycling will go directly to a waste disposal contractor.

Last night's meeting was held in public.