THE change to the refuse collection system in Darlington, is working, despite residents' complaints, the council says.

The new system, introduced earlier this month, requires people to put refuse on the kerbside for collection.

This has angered some elderly and infirm people who say they cannot move their refuse themselves, and are unhappy to be assessed by council officials to qualify for assistance.

Some people have said their rubbish has not been collected even though it was left at the front of their properties.

A Darlington Borough Council spokeswoman defended the new system, which was introduced to save money.

She said: "We understand this been a big change for a lot of people, but in 95 per cent of cases everything is running smoothly with rubbish being left in the right place and being collected.

"When people have found their rubbish has not been collected it could be that it is still on private property even though it has been moved by the resident.

"We would ask everyone to put the rubbish on the kerbside, away from private property, or to call us if they are still having problems."

The council has pledged to use some of the savings from the new scheme to start a recycling scheme for all residents.