Birmingham bin stickers threaten fines over green waste

Birmingham residents dumping garden waste are being warned they could be fined £2,500.

Warning stickers have appeared on abandoned bags of green waste and letters are being sent to suspected tippers.

In February, the city introduced a £35 annual fee for garden waste collection.

Previously covered by council tax, the charge followed a £2m reduction in the city's waste budget as part of a £102m cuts plan.

Yardley Liberal Democrat MP John Hemming has complained to the council about dumped green waste which he said has increased since the charge was introduced.

He is now considering legal action, claiming the council is "failing in its duty to clear up rubbish and fly-tipping".

He said: "Get rid of the charge and then you can start cleaning up the city."

The council said it did not accept the claim and would defend any legal proceedings.

Councillor James McKay, head of the city's waste service, said about 1,000 residents a week are signing up to the annual collection fee, with the current total near 40,000.