SELBY villagers are up in arms over plans to collect domestic refuse once a fortnight.

The district council argues that it can no longer afford to collect refuse every week, as well as pick up glass, paper and garden waste as part of its expanded recycling initiative.

But hundreds of residents in Eggborough and Camblesforth, two of the four villages where the trial scheme will be conducted, said today the scheme was a "load of rubbish".

Leading the fight is district councillor John McCartney, who has called on the council to abandon its controversial plans.

He said he had delivered a leaflet to every household in Eggborough, asking for their views, and the response was "incredible".

"I have never had such an outpouring of rage over any other issue. I've been inundated with phone calls, letters and emails," said Coun McCartney.

"I understand the same strong feelings exist in Camblesforth, where residents have organised a petition, and in the other trial villages of Whitley and Carlton."

He added: "They are all happy to support recycling but believe this is a step too far."

Eggborough mother-of-two Alison Braid said: "People are furious, especially those with children whose wheelie bins are choc-a-bloc every week.

"Collecting refuse every other Thursday is crazy. People will end up having to put several bin bags outside, which would attract rats."

Stuart Henshaw, the council's environmental services officer, said they had held six public meetings in the villages concerned and the consensus was they were happy to go ahead with the trial.

He said: "Without major investment, we just don't have the resources to empty wheelie bins as well as the recycling boxes."

Coun Steve Shaw-Wright, a member of the council's Environment Board, today defended the scheme. He said: "I can understand the concerns but we have to give it a go. We don't recycle enough waste and if we don't expand we will be penalised by the Government.

"If you take out all the paper, bottles and garden waste, there shouldn't be enough domestic refuse left to warrant a weekly collection."

Updated: 16:18 Monday, January 20, 2003