Fire chiefs have warned uncollected rubbish outside people’s homes could be a fire hazard.

Brighton and Hove residents have been told to expect disruption after the council ruled out bringing in agency staff to deal with the bin strike.

The city council’s refuge workers and street cleaners are to start a seven day strike on Friday over changes to allowances.

In an open letter the council’s chief executive, Penny Thompson, apologised to city residents.

She added: “In reality our options are very limited, we cannot legally employ replacement staff to do the work of striking workers.

Settlement “Once again, I am very sorry that our service is being affected during these talks.

“I strongly urge the GMB to return to the negotiating table with a viewto finding an agreed settlement.”

The strike action comes during one of the city’s busiest weeks of the year.

As well as the annual People’s Day and London to Brighton Bike Ride, the city is also hosting Brighton Fashion week, the Eco Tech Show and an open air Cliff Richard concert.

Mrs Thompson added that although replacement workers were out of the question the council’s rubbish and recycling sites would be open for longer during the strike.

The open letter followed two rubbish fires on Tuesday night as waste continues to pile up.

Aquick-thinking resident managed to stop a blaze in a recycling box spreading in Luther Street while rubbish was set on fire later on in the Whitehawk area.

Devastating

Dave Statham, watch manager at the Preston Circus station, said: “What starts as a small fire in a pile of rubbish can quickly escalate to involve nearby buildings and property with devastating effect.

“We’ve had two major fires in East Sussex started in refuse, which had accumulated and acted as a magnet.

“I would remind property owners and occupiers of the importance of storing their refuse in a safe manner, away from buildings and consider the use of lockable commercial bins to try and prevent these incidents occurring.

“In addition, to those that might be tempted to start fires in piles of rubbish and waste, I would remind them that arson is a criminal offence which, on conviction, carries a significant custodial and financial penalty, especially when it endangers people’s lives.”

The GMB Union will hold a march through the city on Saturday.

Starting at the City Clean Depot in Upper Hollingdean Road, the union’s general secretary Paul Kenny will lead the demonstration to the council’s Kings House in Kingsway.