A KEIGHLEY councillor says stricter Bradford Council rules on how household waste should be disposed of risk exacerbating rubbish-related problems instead of improving them.

Ian Dermondy, of Guardhouse ward, says Keighley residents should be educated rather than fined.

He added: "Since Bradford Council changed the rules on waste collection, the waste teams will only collect from bins with a closed lid and will no longer take anything else left by the side of the bins.

"This has caused lots of problems.

"If Bradford is to carry on with the new policy, it must do more to educate residents. Fines are not the answer.

"In my own ward this has become a problem, and on my travels around Keighley district I'm seeing the same issue time and time again.

"No one wants their streets to look like this, but if nothing changes, they will end up looking even worse."

A Bradford Council spokesman said: "We explained to all Keighley residents that bin lids must be closed when the policy was introduced.

"Anyone not following this will still have the bin emptied, but an advisor will visit to explain about recycling and reducing waste, for example, by using recycling bins, which are free of charge. This approach is mostly working.

"Our collection crews are using common sense in continuing to empty bins where lids are slightly ajar.

"Our main aim is for everyone to create less waste and recycle more, something we regularly promote."