Council bosses have caused a stink by threatening to fine residents for leaving their rubbish out – on the right day.

Furious Phillip Harrison received letters from the council’s Cityclean department warning of legal action after his post was found by inspectors in rubbish left outside his house.

But the letter listed the date of offence as a Tuesday – Mr Harrison’s correct collection day.

The gaffe is the latest twist in the rubbish fiasco which has hit Brighton and Hove City Council.

Mr Harrison, 31, of New England Road, Brighton, said: “I couldn’t believe my eyes when I read the letters.

I had two and my flatmate also got one, all saying the same date.

“It is complete idiocy. The letters say we are contravening the Environmental Protection Act and threaten us with a fixed penalty notice of £75.

“It lists the date of offence as December 2, and then goes on to helpfully remind us that our collection day is a Tuesday – which we are well aware of.

“They are treating us like criminals, sifting through our rubbish and sending us patronising letters threatening to take us to court.

“It is completely ridiculous and indicative of what a mess the council is in over its rubbish collections these days.

“Bin bags have been left in our streets for weeks since they changed the collection days.

“The council should apologise and sort this mess out once and for all.”

Binmen staged a walkout last week as the council’s refuse problems deepened.

Workers told The Argus they were frustrated at not being listened to about problems with the new rounds, introduced in October, which had led to bags being left in the street, sometimes for weeks at a time.

A leaked council email revealed Queen’s Park, Hollingbury, Brunswick and Adelaide ward, Patcham, Withdean, Woodingdean, Coldean and parts of Preston Park and Whitehawk had all been affected since the overhaul.

A city council spokeswoman said: “We understand that residents are getting used to the round changes and we are looking into this individual case.

“Customers who persistently place refuse out on days when there is no collection are likely to receive a letter reminding them to put it out on the right day.

“It is also normal practice is to write to all residents in the road to remind them when this happens, which may have happened here.”