Southend Council was slammed for allowing rubbish to pile up on the streets days after warning residents they could be fined up to £20,000 for leaving out their refuse too early.

Householders across the borough claimed they had been left in the dark about changes to the collection rota over the festive season.

Many assumed everything had gone back to normal this week and put out bin bags on their standard days, only to find them left to fester and be preyed on by vermin for at least 48 hours.

This came just days after Southend Council launched a Rubbish Watch scheme in Milton and Chalkwell wards, under which residents who leave out bin bags too early could face a £50 fixed penalty notice or be taken to court and fined up to £20,000.

See today's Echo for the full story.