THE man who brought kerbside recycling to Darlington is closing his business after claims of unfair competition from Darlington Borough Council.

Michael Grey, of Treesavers, had hoped to continue running his eight-year-old business after the council announced they were starting their own scheme in September.

But yesterday he announced he could no longer afford to keep Treesavers open despite his hopes that a petition from residents would save the business.

The last recycling collection by Treesavers will take place next Friday.

Mr Grey said: "I have had to sell the premises to try and pay off debts, and I can't operate without premises.

"I am having to let my 11 staff go. The council has said they can apply for jobs on their new scheme but with the job losses at Rothmans there is going to be a lot of competition for work now.

"I don't mind competition but the council has stopped paying me recycling credits, which makes it impossible for me to carry on. It is not a level playing field.

"Once I stop, the people of Darlington will not have a kerbside recycling service until September."

Recycling credits are the money the council paid Mr Grey for saving them from having to dump the rubbish he collected.

Last night, a council spokesman said the authority would work to bridge the gap between its new service starting and Treesavers closing.

He said: "We may not be able to get something going by next week but we will provide something. Our new service will be better value for us and a better service for people.

"We will cover the whole borough, while Mr Grey did not, and we will also collect more materials."