I would like to express my anger at the disgraceful service that City of York Council has provided regarding a replacement black bin.

Mine was lost in the back of the refuse wagon four weeks ago. I was told I would be given a replacement, but not told that it would take more than four weeks.

I have often cursed our black bin for the room it takes up in the corner of the patio. However, I had been too hasty and now realise its true value.

For one week, we put up with black bin bags stacked outside, but then the neighbourhood cats, including our own, emptied some of the contents of each bag, leaving us to clean up kitchen scraps, teabags, etc, and we still have a two-year-old in nappies.

Despite the bags nappies go in, they are eventually extremely offensive. Since then, especially as the weather has been a touch warmer, we have had to take 12 bin bags to the tip. I understood we paid our council tax for the council to do this for us.

When we have spoken to council staff, they have been unhelpful, despite telling us that our name was down to receive a new one two weeks after it had been lost. Why does it even need to take two weeks?

I did not receive the bin and was told it would take yet another two weeks. Overall, I have waited a month and, at the time of writing, I am still waiting.

Mrs Gill Bean,

Park Ave,

New Earswick, York.

Updated: 09:36 Tuesday, May 02, 2006