A new council fee for collecting large items of rubbish has been slammed by pensioners, who branded it a 'stealth tax'.

In April, Hounslow Council began charging all residents, except those on benefits, £5 per item with a £25 minimum fee for picking up large objects such as old wardrobes, baths or rusted garden furniture.

But the move has sparked anger from OAPs who have found they are no longer entitled to the previously free collection.

Rafat Saeed, 67, of Midsummer Avenue, Hounslow Heath, said he was appalled by the new charges and claimed he would refuse to pay, adding that no one had been able to show him the legal policy documents on which the collection fees were based.

"I am very happy to be a rebel on this matter," he added.

But a spokesman for the council said there was an over-arching agreement from the Government allowing councils to legally introduce charges for things such as the collection of large items.