THE owner of a kerbside collection firm has accused Darlington Borough Council of putting him out of business.

Michael Grey, who owns Treesavers, said he had been forced to sell the firm's premises and make his 11 members of staff redundant after councillors agreed to stop recycling credits to make way for its own collection scheme, Time to Recycle, which starts in September.

Mr Grey said he could no longer afford to keep Treesavers open despite his hopes that a petition from residents would save the business.

The last collection by Treesavers, after eight years in business, will be tomorrow.

Mr Grey said: "I don't mind competition but the council has stopped paying me recycling credits which makes it impossible for me to carry on. It's not a level playing field."

A council spokesman said: "We may not be able to get something going by next week but we will provide something until our service starts. Our new service will be better value for us and a better service for people. We will cover the whole borough and will collect more materials."