BACK alleys in parts of Darlington were left strewn with rubbish and household waste after rats took advantage of black sacks that were not collected for two days because of a council error.

Darlington Borough Council has apologised after leaflets delivered in parts of the Denes area outlining changes to rubbish collection days gave the wrong information, causing a number of people to put their rubbish out on the wrong day.

The leaflets sent to some properties in Aldam Street and surrounding streets told residents that their bin collection day would change this week from Monday to Tuesday.

Resident Ray Raper was one of the people who put his rubbish out on Tuesday as instructed, but realised later that night it had not been collected.

He called customer services at the council, who told him that his new collection day was actually Thursday.

To add to the confusion, some properties in the street received leaflets with the correct information.

A council spokeswoman apologised for the error and pledged that a full clean-up of the area would take place after the collections today (Thursday).

Mr Raper said: “I’m disgusted – the back alley is covered in rubbish and there are dead rats out there. The rubbish has been there for two days now.

“I got in touch with the council and she told me that my new collection day was Thursday, but my leaflet definitely said Tuesday. The other half of the street had leaflets saying Thursday, but some people got confused when they saw others putting their stuff out on Tuesday, so they did too.

“It doesn’t take long for the rats to see their chance and they were there quickly.”

A council spokeswoman said: “There have been some changes to the days when refuse will be collected. Leaflets stating these changes have been delivered to the affected homes.

“This particular address should have received a leaflet stating collections will take place on Thursday of each week, starting May 2. Arrangements are in place for the lane to be thoroughly cleansed after the May 2 collection.”

She added: “We will take action to check that other leaflet deliveries are correct and apologise for any inconvenience caused.”