HOMEOWNERS have criticised council officials after having fines imposed on them because they put out their rubbish too early.

Darlington Borough Council has issued £50 fines to residents who leave their rubbish out more than 24 hours before collection is due.

The authority's workers have been looking through rubbish bags left out early to identify who they belong to.

But the move has sparked anger among some residents, who say it is an invasion of privacy.

James Leathley, of Bartlett Street, said: "I put my rubbish out two days early because I was going on holiday.

"The next thing I knew I had a letter through the door saying I had to pay this fine within seven days."

Deborah Carpenter, of Coniston Street, said someone from the council should have knocked on her front door to give her a warning instead.

"I never received a letter about the new fines," she said.

"I always wrap my rubbish in a bin liner and then a black bin bag and put it neatly outside my house. I am a single mother and I feel a £50 fine is far too much, especially when I did not realise I was doing anything wrong."

A council spokesman said: "We can guarantee every household in Darlington was sent a leaflet via Royal Mail explaining they would be fined if they left out rubbish more than 24 hours in advance.

"It is not an infringement of human rights to have your rubbish looked through by the council as it is left out in the street. How else would we work out who the offending bags belong to?"

The council has recommended that people should leave their rubbish out the night before it is due to be collected.

If residents are going on holiday, they are advised to telephone the authority to make other arrangements.