A YORK binman has worn a kilt in protest at a ban on wearing shorts during hot weather - as forecasters warned that next week will be even hotter in York than originally expected.

Lee Moran posted on Facebook on Monday that it was going to be hot, so 'in protest of City of York Council no shorts policy, I will be wearing a KILT for work today.'

York Press:

Lee, 50, of South Bank, told The Press that long trousers were insisted on by the council for health and safety reasons, as they protected against dangers such as cuts, grazes, brambles and sunburn but he asked: "What about our health and wellbeing? One of us could collapse in this heat."

He said the thick trousers were the same thick and heavy ones that he and his colleagues wore in the middle of winter, and caused sweating and chafing during heatwaves. "They're really, really heavy," he said. "It's ridiculously hot wearing them."

Lee, who won one of The Press’ York and District Medals for the support he gave to residents in a flooded York estate during the 2015 floods, said he wore the kilt while out on a round in the Tadcaster Road and Copmanthorpe area on Monday, and won a lot of support from residents intrigued by his attire.

But he claimed he was later threatened with disciplinary action by managers for breaking the rules.

However, he said they stepped back from this and the authority was now reviewing whether it could allow shorts after all. But he believed a change in policy was needed urgently, before the heatwave returned next Monday, even worse than last Monday.

He said such mattters were down to the local authority to decide on, and claimed Scarborough council allowed its bin staff to wear shorts.

His stance prompted dozens of supportive comments on Facebook, such as: 'Spot on Lee, what a stupid rule', and 'Can't wear shorts in this weather , r they mad, 31 degrees.'

But one supporter said that while she felt awful for binmen grafting in such weather, she believed health and safety might dictate they should wear Kevlar trousers in case there was anything sharp in the rubbish.

Ben Grabham, the council's head of environmental services, said he could sympathise with anyone working in the direct sun but staff's health, safety and well-being was paramount.

"The reason our waste collection crews wear trousers is to protect them against sharp objects that may be contained in recycling boxes or in bags," he said.

"We appreciate that working outdoors at this moment is very warm and we’re supporting our crews who are encouraged to take regular rest breaks and wear hats and sun cream that they are provided with.

“We’re undertaking a review of all our operations in extreme weather with our health and safety team, but we’re not sure a kilt will necessarily be the right option for our staff.”

A spokesperson added that a knife recently came through a bin bag and it was only a council loader's protective gear that saved him from a 'very nasty accident.'

BBC Weather is now predicting York will see maximum temperatures of 33C, or 92F, on both Monday and Tuesday, and the Met Office has also now extended its amber warning for extreme heat for York to include Tuesday as well as Sunday and Monday.

It says adverse health effects are likely to be experienced, not limited to those most vulnerable to extreme heat, leading to potential serious illness or danger to life, and substantial changes in working practices and daily routines are likely to be required.