THE man spearheading Bromsgrove's new refuse and recycling scheme, which has been severely criticised, has apologised to residents.

Council leader Dennis Norton, speaking exclusively to the Advertiser/Messenger, accepted responsibly for its failings: "I hold up my hands and apologise to all residents of Bromsgrove who have been inconvenienced by the change over to the new system," he said.

On Monday, in a bid to take the heat out of criticisms that the new kerbside collection scheme was failing, he called the council's top bosses to a highly charged emergency meeting. Later the council said the meeting had decided additional resources be brought in to improve the system.