PUBLIC satisfaction with household rubbish collection in York has dropped to its lowest level for five years, new council figures show.

A survey of residents' satisfaction showed that 75 per cent of people were satisfied with their refuse collection - the lowest level since 1998.

A more detailed study found 64 per cent of people surveyed thought their refuse collection was "excellent" or "very good," with further 25 per cent rating it as "good".

But nine per cent said the service was "average," with two per cent branding it "poor, very poor or unacceptable".

Customer satisfaction with the commercial waste service offered to businesses stands at more than 90 per cent.

A spokesman for City of York Council's commercial services department said in a report that the biggest concern among respondents, 30 per cent, was rubbish that did not fit into the bin being left behind after collection. The spokesman said: "Litter problems arising from refuse being put out long before or after collection was mentioned by 44 per cent as a cause for concern.

"The imminent expansion of the kerbside recycling service will assist with the problems of excess rubbish and may also reduce complaints of bins being missed."

The satisfaction levels were to be discussed at The Guildhall by the council's executive member for commercial services, Irene Waudby, today from 5pm.

Updated: 10:30 Tuesday, June 24, 2003