RUBBISH collectors are refusing to pick up shop waste because of health and safety concerns.

Rolands Bakery and the Bamboo Takeaway, Crescent Way, Orpington, have not had their bins emptied for three weeks and they are unsure why.

Takeaway owner Kwai Fat-Lok says one of the nearby shop owners told him it was because the bins are too heavy.

Bakery owner Roland Purchase says he has been told the rubbish will not be picked up until the gravel surface at the collection point is replaced with concrete.

He believes his business and the takeaway are expected to pay for this themselves.

But the collection point is used by all of the shops in the parade.

Pharmacy worker Rob Blair says he heard the problem came about because one of the workers hurt his ankle on the gravel when collecting the bins.

Mr Purchase, 62, says his shop has been there for 22 years and there has never been a problem before.

He said: "They have to go 15 steps to pull a bin to their lorry.

"They just refuse to do it and have left us high and dry."

The father-of-four added: "I'm frustrated.

"We suggested the bakers pull the bin up to the lorry and the council representative approved this two weeks ago but still nothing."

He said: "We make phone calls but they do not answer them any more. I will have to clear it myself.

"We are paying for a service we have not received."

Mr Fat-Lok said: "I'm very angry the bins have not been collected.

"Now everybody is coming to my shop to complain about the smell because three weeks is a long time not to be collected."

A Bromley Council spokesman said: "The area where the bins have been stored has deteriorated.

"Because of the uneven surface and the weight of the waste disposed of there is a health and safety issue and we cannot continue in the way we have."

He added: "We need and want to meet up with the businesses concerned so we can resolve the situation."