A NEW scheme for collecting refuse across Darlington is already causing chaos, even though it has not yet officially started.

Some people in the village of Hurworth found their rubbish was not collected last week, while others were told it would not be collected unless placed on the kerbside.

Sparked by a council leaflet distributed from the village community centre, which revealed a summer start date for the new system, the confusion saw complaints flood in to Hurworth parish councillors.

Disabled and elderly residents, who feared they would be unable to drag a bin or bag to a collection point, were also said to be anxious about the scheme.

At a parish council meeting, Councillor John Lawrie said: "I read the waste management leaflet in the community centre and thought it was a spoof document until I turned it over.

"There it talks of a new system, where bins and bags must be placed at the kerbside for collection from this summer. Notification has not been put through any door to tell us this is now happening, and two ladies have already told me they are not capable of carrying bins or bags to any kerb."

Darlington Borough Council said the scheme was not due to start until September, and it is looking into the problem at Hurworth.

A council spokeswoman said: "Everybody will receive a leaflet through their door nearer the time, and more information will appear in next month's Town Crier magazine so everyone will know what to do and when.

"Elderly and disabled people will be able to apply for assisted collections, and the criteria for these will also be published in the leaflets.

"We apologise for any confusion that may have resulted from the leaflet."