Residents in Smithills have complained of the ‘awful’ smell of its green food waste bins, which they say, have not been emptied since late May.

Beverly Walton of Aspen Close said that the council has not collected the food waste from her street’s green bins since May 28.

She said: “ All the residents have contacted Bolton Council every week to complain including our local councillor.

“The answer we are given is leave the bins out and a special collection will be arranged. The timescale does vary considerably from next day, two days and in some cases five, but still no collection.

“This is now a health hazard due to the food waste. They smell awful and squirrels are chewing the lids to gain entry.”

All her street’s other bins have been emptied on the correct date.

Beverley said: “I’ve been told that on the Bolton Council system nothing’s been logged.

“That’s not good enough.”

Cllr Garry Veevers said: “I’ve had several residents in the Smithills area tell me that they are unhappy that their green bins have not been emptied in a while.

“I’m quite disappointed as I’d had reassurances last week that the problem would be resolved this week but unfortunately I’m getting even more complaints.”

Bolton Council’s waste services have faced repeated missed collection incidents.

Only in March, Kearsley, Little Lever and Great Lever residents reported bins left uncollected.

Cllr Richard Silvester told a recent Bolton Council meeting that the system was “not fit for purpose” and “needed a complete overhaul.”

Cllr Silvester found it had “broken down bin wagons” and “inefficient” pick up routes.

The council consulted on changes to its waste services from last December. This continued after it agreed on a £9.1million budget cut.

Bin rounds are set to change once again. “Beige bins” collection dates will be slashed from every two weeks to every month from July 15.

After The Bolton News raised the issue with the council, the bins were emptied.

Beverley said: "A person from the council came to inspect our bins.

"It wasn’t long after that around 9.30 the bin wagon arrived and emptied our bins. It just goes to show what the press can achieve. So thank you once again for your help it is most appreciated."