A Watford housing trust has been criticised for allowing bins on a north Watford development to overflow meaning rubbish and refuse was dumped on the floor.

Resident George Duddy, said wood and rubbish was left around the bins area in Merryfields Flats, off Ashby Road, days after they were finally emptied.

The 73-year-old retired bus driver said he felt Watford Community Housing Trust should have dealt with the situation better in light of the higher service charges it is levying on tenants.

Speaking on Friday Mr Duddy said: "There is still loads of rubbish lying on the floor. I pay the service charge to them. I expect something better than what they are doing. It’s ridiculous."

He said the bins filled up last Monday after bin men refused to take them due to materials, which had been dumped in them.

From then the bins started to overflow until they were finally emptied on Thursday. However the detritus that had piled up around the bin area remained.

A spokesperson for Watford Community Housing Trust said: "We have had the stairwell and bin area thoroughly cleaned and cleared of rubbish, and our caretaker is visiting at least once a week to monitor the situation. We have also been speaking to Watford Borough Council about the possibility of providing another small general waste bin.

"However it is tenants’ personal responsibility to take care of their waste, and we would urge them to do so with consideration for their neighbours. We are working with the Council’s environmental health team to identify and prosecute those who do not dispose of refuse properly."