A resident of Hurrell Court in Kingsbridge has said “people don’t care” after he was confronted by split bin bags outside his flat.

The resident, who wishes to remain anonymous, said that South Hams District Council had only provided three bins for 13 flats and bin bags were often ripped open by animals or birds, leaving mess strewn across the floor.

“I pay DCH [formerly Devon and Cornwall Housing] £20 a month service charge, but nothing is being done. We only have three bins between 13 flats and no seagull proof bags. I often go out to clean up the mess, but why should I?

“We need more bins and better bags. The council should be looking after us.”

A representative of South Hams District Council said: “We are currently corresponding with residents at Hurrell Court, who have brought a number of waste concerns to our attention.

“To resolve these issues, we are putting a number of arrangements in place, this includes providing residents with information on our recycling service and reorganising the recycling and waste collection point.”

They also added that seagull proof sacks are "only available for properties which are on sack collection, residents of Hurrell Court are provided with wheelie bins".