A "DIRTY" row has erupted in a village near York over the emptying of its dog bins.

Residents in Upper Poppleton have cried foul as they are forced to pay - through their parish council - £1,200 a year for the clearance service, while neighbouring village Nether Poppleton gets it free.

David Thompson, former chairman of Upper Poppleton Parish Council, said it was "grossly unfair" and demanded City of York Council made it one rule for all.

"Upper Poppleton residents are being forced to pay £1,200 through a precept to have their own dog bins emptied, in addition to their Council Tax contribution towards emptying the dog bins in Nether Poppleton," he said.

"This state of affairs has existed for three or four years since the ward committees were created, during which time the council has refused to rectify this iniquitous situation despite many requests."

Kate Richardson, of Upper Poppleton parish council, said the parish council had installed dog bins a few years ago because of the number of dogs in the village.

"Since then York (council) has provided them to everybody else," she said.

"It's double taxation. It's not fair. Just because we were concerned about the health of our village and our children we are being almost punished for it.

"We shouldn't be paying for what other places are not paying."

A spokesman for City of York Council said: "Anything installed by the council (including dog waste bins) is maintained by the council - if the parish council installs the bin then they maintain it.

"The Parish Charter says that parish councils can make a representation to the City Council if they feel they are being treated unfairly."

Coun Peter Powell, chair of Nether Poppleton Parish Council, said he believed the nearby villages of Skelton and Rufforth also have their dog bins emptied for free.

"Upper Poppleton took the initiative to get dog bins long before they were provided by the council, I believe because they thought it would be a good idea due to the high number of dog walkers," he said.

"This issue of double taxation is part of the Parish Charter."

Updated: 10:20 Tuesday, July 20, 2004