Hounslow council has apologised after an administrative error meant bins were left to pile up for four weeks outside several homes in Feltham.

The bin mix up which affected a trio of houses on Snakey Lane caused one couple in particular great distress after rats were seen scurrying around the street.

Councillor Amrit Mann, deputy Leader of Hounslow Council said the error was down to the move from black bin bags to wheelie bin collections.

Mr Mann added: “Regrettably, an administrative error led to collection crews being informed that wheelie bin collections for some homes started earlier this month (February) so they, in line with our collection policy, did not collect the black sacks put out at these properties.

“Over the past three months, around 35,000 homes have moved from black sack to wheelie bin collections. This massive project has gone relatively well but unfortunately, on some occasions, errors do happen and this was once such example.

“The homes on Snakey Lane have now received wheelie bins and all outstanding rubbish has been collected.

“We’re very sorry things went wrong on this occasion and will ensure that normal collections resume for these residents.”

Mr Rushton who had made several calls to the council department, the first at the beginning of February, was always led to believe the rubbish at his home and that of two neighbours would be collected the next working day. But it wasn’t.

He said: “It was only as the collections failed week after week after repeated phone calls, that the bags became apparent.

“I mentioned my disabled wife to the council and the trauma caused to both of us not only with the backlog of bags but also the vermin that ran over me when I tried to re-bag the bins.

“I have yet to see whether the problem is fully resolved and only a resumption of regular collections over a period of time will show that. This will also stop the rats on the pavement too.

“I would also have expected a personal apology as there is still ongoing distress with regards to the vermin.”