A COUPLE were left annoyed after being told their wheelie bin containing grass cuttings was not emptied because binmen could not lift it with two fingers.

Katie Shergold, 26, and Leigh Shergold, 32, from St Andrew Road, Warminster, put out their green garden waste bin and black kerbside recycling box for collection on Thursday May 22.

But when Mrs Shergold went to bring her bins in later in the day she realised her green bin had not been emptied and a sticker was placed on it saying it was too heavy to lift.

Mrs Shergold said: "The binmen had stuck a sticker on it which said the bin was too heavy to lift, yet I was able to carry it from my back garden to the front of the house.

"I think there were other bins which were left at the end of the cul-de-sac which had stickers on as well.

"I phoned the district council to tell them what had happened and they said if the bin men couldn't lift the bin with two fingers they could refuse to take it.

"They said I could put my garden waste in my grey bin the following week for collection, but if I did that I thought the bin men might refuse to take my household bin.

"So I've emptied the grass cuttings into sacks now and I'm going to take them down the skip at some point, but when work its difficult to find the time.

"You pay council tax for public services and you expect your bin to be taken.

"If the weather improves this week I might get out in my garden to mow the lawn. Let's hope they take it this time."

Nicole Smith, of the district council, said: "Focsa (its waste contractors) are unable to empty wheeled bins that are too heavy due to the safety risk of the bin falling from the vehicle's lifting gear during emptying.

"If at anytime a bin is considered by the operatives to be overloaded, a sticker will be placed on the lid letting the resident know that they have been unable to take the bin.

"If any resident has had a heavy sticker left on the bin then they will be required to remove some of the contents.

"Please do not put stones, rubble, soil, timber or heavy items into the bin. There are facilities at the household recycling centres for soil, turf, rubble, timber and waste."