A SHOPKEEPER who has arrived at work every Wednesday for the past four months to find rubbish bags piled outside has discovered the culprit is Malvern Town Council.

Mike Haycock, who owns Farmhouse Kitchen on Belle Vue Terrace, has had mounds of the bags piled just outside his window display on rubbish collection day since he began trading in June.

The rubbish is collected by Malvern Hills District Council.

As Mr Haycock balked at opening the bags to find out who was causing the problem, the identity of the culprit had remained a mystery.

But when the problem reared its head again on Wednesday, he noticed that the only property without bin bags left along the kerb outside it was Malvern Town Council's new offices.

"I went in and asked them whether it was their bags and the guy on the counter said they might be," he said.

"I went outside and waited but no one came to take a look. After five minutes I went back in and the guy was sitting there dunking biscuits in his coffee!

"A few hours later I got a call telling me it was their rubbish and that it was the cleaner's mistake. They said she did not realise it would create a problem.

"I think that's an absolutely pathetic excuse. If I make a mistake with one of my clients, I take responsibility for it.

"The council is supposed to be promoting business in the town, and they are doing exactly the opposite. I'm at a loss for words."

Sarah Heeks, office manager at the town council, said: "Our cleaners had not realised that there was a problem and as soon as the shop pointed it out we moved the rubbish along.

"We have apologised and in future we will leave the rubbish in front of the passageway next door."