A former police officer and local football referee is giving Bromley Council a red card for not dealing with rubbish left on his street.

Peter Smith, 80, said two bags of waste have been left uncollected near where he lives in Ravensbourne Avenue for “far too long”.

Remarkably, Mr Smith said he once sent off Bromley’s councillor for the environment, Colin Smith, during a football match.

Although he no longer has the power to dish out suspensions, the ex-policeman still wants to see a clean game.

But he said his road is in a “disgusting state” and situations such as this one should be better dealt with.

Mr Smith said: “It’s just been sitting there. There’s no building work going on – and it’s been there for nearly two weeks.

“We had leaflets come through (before the local elections) saying what a wonderfully clean borough Bromley is – nothing can be further from the truth.”

It is unclear where the rubbish, sitting outside Shortlands Golf Club, came from. A Bromley Council spokesman noted dumping in public spaces is a criminal offence, and happens too often.

Executive councillor for the environment Colin Smith said it was actually a yellow card that was issued and said the waste in question has now been cleared. 

He said: “Firstly, if Peter is referring to the very frosty day away at Hill Samuel (where Beckenham Town now play) back in the late 70s it was a yellow rather than a red as the London Banks Football Association annuls will attest if checked out – I would also mention that it was me who actually that reminded him about it following a chance meeting on his doorstep whilst out canvassing back in the 2012 Bromley Town by election!

"Far more importantly though, the dumped rubbish has been cleared in line with the Council’s five-day target period after first being made aware of the event.

"I would take this opportunity to strongly encourage and remind any resident who witnesses fly tipping, that the council tries its very best to award red cards to every fly-tipper that we can, which is why we operate an enviro crime reward scheme with which rewards up to £500 for any information leading to successful a prosecution.”

Mr Smith mentioned he lives in the former home of the Titanic’s junior wireless officer, Harold Bride, and added the council has put a blue plaque commemorating the survivor on his home.

Check back with News Shopper to find out more about the life of one of Bromley’s voyager.