WASTE collection charges have been slammed by an Almondbury couple.

Margaret and George Ban said the Kirklees Council fees for taking away bulky items would lead to increased fly-tipping.

And they believe the service costs should be included in their Council Tax anyway.

The couple raised their concern after they helped tidy up the Birkby home of Mrs Ban's 85-year-old father Thomas Anson.

They removed a large freezer, washing machine and carpet during the clean-out.

Mr Ban said:"We are all fairly aged but we decided to clear out the house as much as possible."

But they were all shocked when they were told it would cost £18 for Kirklees Council to remove the rubbish.

They were quoted £12 for a freezer and a further £12 for any other three items.

Because Mr Anson receives benefits, the second price was halved.

Mr Ban said: "It's not really the £18 - although that's a fair chunk of his pension.

"It's the principle of the thing. They are charging an 85-year-old man for something like this.

"In the past they would have removed the rubbish without any question and any charge at all and I think this sort of thing just stimulates fly tipping."

Mrs Ban was furious at the charges, which she slammed as appalling.

She said: "£18 might be nothing to you or me but it's a big chunk out of a pension.

"I don't expect to be hand-fed and nanny-reared, but surely the council shouldn't be doing these things to people that can ill afford it."

She said Kirklees would soon resemble a rubbish dump with a rise in fly tipping.

"People will not pay the council this money.

"We pay £1,300 per year Council Tax. It should be included in that."

But a council spokesman said there had been no increase in fly tipping since the charges were introduced earlier his year.

Part of the rationale behind the charges, he said, was to encourage people to recycle household furniture when having clear-outs.

Groups like the Huddersfield- based National Children's Centre takes away unwanted furniture or free.

They then refurbish pieces and give them to needy families.

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