FURIOUS residents in Skelmorlie have hit out over new bin collection rotas they claim is leaving their village a litter-strewn mess.

They say the three-week wait for grey bins to be emptied by the council is leaving households having to put bags on top of and next to bins - leaving them a target for vermin such as rats and seagulls.

One local says this photo, taken after the weekend, shows the extent of the problem.

Stuart McVey contacted the News to call for action.

He said: "There have been lots of complaints about the three weeks grey bin collections.

"Bins are overflowing and this was the results around Skelmorlie on Monday morning before this week's collection.

"The bins are full, so you have to put excess bin bags on top of them, but that attracts the birds who come and tear the bags apart scavenging for food.

"It is definitely becoming a health hazard, something needs changed."

The picture of the litter in Skelmorlie was taken near The Lane, one of the main thoroughfares of the village.

Stuart added: "I would like to see the two week pick up return and I have personally lodged a complaint with the council about the situation. "The council give you a purple bin and a blue bin to help split the recyclable rubbish, but you still have the same amount of unrecyclable rubbish. "There has been a lot of comment about this among local people and now we have a regular issue."

Councillor Tom Marshall was contacted by the News about the issue - and claimed it was the first time it had been raised with him.

He added: "If there is special need for an extra bin for items such as incontinence bags or medical supplies, it is possible to apply for an additional bin.

"I think it can be well managed if the recycling is done properly and can't really see why households don't have the capacity.

"You can quite easily go onto the council website and see the bin collection days and get advice on what goes in which bin to create more space."

The additional bins have also caused some confusion with Largs Community Council environment sub committee chairman Patricia Perman, who told the News people need a 'science degree' to decipher what items need to go where.

The purple bin is used for glass, cans and plastic containers, while the blue bins are for paper and cardboard only.

Visit north-ayrshire.gov.uk/mybinday for more details on collection dates,