Thousands of bins were not collected on time because of traffic problems in Dartford.

Figures show that 90.5 per cent of wheeled bins were collected on the right day throughout July.

There are approximately 42,000 households in Dartford.

This is an increase on June's figure of 89.5 per cent but still equates to approximately 4,000 homes having their collection on the wrong day.

Councillor Jonathon Hawkes, Labour leader, said: "Late and missed collections are amongst the most common complaints I receive as a Councillor. When you add that Dartford now has the worst recycling rate in Kent it shows that waste and recycling service is broken under the Tories.

"Dartford residents are being asked to pay more but are getting less."

A spokesman for the council said: "We are aware of some problems. In terms of delays picking up bins, the figure was more likely 3,000 and this had been caused by delays at the tip, where vehicles had to queue to unload the waste, vehicle breakdown and levels of congestion on the roads. These were delays in picking up bins and the bins were eventually collected.

"We of course appreciate that it causes problems for residents."

Kevin Elliott, who lives in Stone, said he regularly experiences missed bin collections.

He said: "The service has been getting worse over the last year. My bins are regularly not collected on the day they are supposed to be and sometimes I have to wait several days before they are. It’s very frustrating. The council should deliver the service they promise to."