Selby is one of the worst areas in the country at managing its rubbish, according to a damning report by a Government watchdog.

The report by the Audit Commission says Selby is producing too much rubbish and not recycling enough. It also says Selby residents are unhappy at the state of the town and slams Selby District Council for a series of shortcomings.

But council chiefs today assured residents that weekly bin collections were not under threat, despite criticism in the report. The Conservative administration was elected in 2003 on a manifesto pledge to retain the weekly collections.

The council scored one-star in the commission's report, with a rating of "fair", but the report states that:

Household waste per person in Selby is 17 per cent higher than the national average

Selby is in the worst quarter of district councils for recycling

Selby's waste management service is in the most expensive 25 per cent nationwide

Public satisfaction with the state of the streets is low, especially in Selby itself.

Many councillors are not engaged with waste management issues.

Strategies for increasing recycling are too general and short-termist.

Among the strong criticism, the report also contained some praise for the council, saying there are "promising prospects for improvement".

The report praised the council's openness about its weaknesses, the importance given to the issue among the council's leaders and improved systems for monitoring performance.

The refuse collection was described as effective, and the council is in the top quarter for providing recycling opportunities.

Council bosses today hit back at the criticisms.

Mark Crane, leader of the council, said: "One of their criticisms is that they want us to go to fortnightly bin collections, which the people of Selby do not want."

Coun Chris Metcalfe, chairman of the environment board, said: "We were very disappointed with the report.

"But I think when one looks at the performance indicators used, they have used them from the end of 2002-2003, which was the year before we actually started the current recycling strategy."

He added: "They were looking backwards, not forwards - that's the cut and thrust of it. As far as Selby is concerned, it's a high-profile service, well regarded by the residents."

Coun Metcalfe said that, while there was a public perception of dirty streets in Selby, the commission had actually found the streets to be well-maintained.

He said additional money had been put aside for street cleaning equipment.

He acknowledged it was important to minimise waste output,

and said residents had to be encouraged to re-use waste items wherever possible.

Opposition councillor, Steve Shaw-Wright, said: "When you consider that the council is spending a quarter of its budget on waste recycling, and we are in the bottom 25 per cent of councils, it's worrying."

He added: "We are not doing anything to get people to minimise their waste in the first place, just encouraging them recycle more."

The report will be presented to the environment board at its meeting next Thursday.

Updated: 09:29 Friday, November 04, 2005