RESIDENTS in Old Town are angry that their black bin bags have gone uncollected.

Only rubbish in blue sacks was collected on Thursday in streets including Maidstone Road, Folkstone Road, Lansdown Road, Kent Road, Stafford Street and Hythe Road.

Many home owners said that they were aware of the new blue bag system but were not sure when the change was coming into effect. Others said they had not even received their blue sacks.

Nathan Hinder, 29, from Maidstone Road, was left unimpressed.

"I think it's disgusting as the council didn't notify us of when they planned to start this," he said.

Two doors down the street two black bags were left out.

Kevin Elder was equally annoyed. The 40-year-old said: "I really didn't know what day it would be started.

"I have my blue bags inside the house and if I'd known I would have used them.

"I'll now have to stick them in the shed until the next collection. It's a minor inconvenience but still a bit of a pain."

The new blue bags were sent to homes in Swindon a week ago in readiness for the first collection on Thursday. Yet many residents were unsure what was happening because they said council literature gave no specific collection date.

Stafford Street resident Sam Farrant had six bags uncollected and said: "I've lived in London and Bristol and never known anything like it.

"I think I should really have a wheelie bin - it would be a lot more convenient. I'll have to take this lot to the dump."

Mum-of-one Lina Deguzman, 45, of Hythe Road, did not even have any blue sacks to use.

"There has been a lack of information about the change," she said.

"Now I will have to wait another week before it can be picked up. It's just not good enough."

The council has hit back saying enough information was provided and that a leaflet clearly stated that the new service would be operational from Monday, November 5.

The council will issue residents with 26 blue sacks every three months.

A council spokesman said: "It was clearly stated that only blue sacks would be collected.

"We believe we have put enough information out there.

"When the system changes and also the collection day it is inevitable teething problems will occur.

"When people get used to it, it will settle down.

"We are certainly very pleased with how our wheelie bin service has gone."

For more information visit www.swindon.gov.uk