THE chief executive of a council has offered to apologise in person to a pensioner after a binman defecated on the homeowner's drive.

The man from Ryall, near Upton, said he has so far refused the offer of an apology from the binman, who has been disciplined but not sacked.

The pensioner feels the binman is only apologising at all because he has been told to by his bosses at Malvern Hills District Council rather than because he feels any remorse for fouling his drive on January 17.

He said: "I'm not interested in that kind of apology. It was suggested to him at the disciplinary hearing that it would be better for him to apologise - well, that's not the sort of apology I'm interested in. It’s like telling a two-year-old 'say your sorry'. They don’t mean it. It's just to satisfy mummy and daddy."

Chris Bocock, chief executive at Malvern Hills District Council, said: "As soon as the incident was reported to us by the customer we accepted full responsibility and took immediate action by sending out an operative to make sure the area was cleaned and sanitised.

"The member of staff responsible for the incident has been disciplined following an internal investigation and he also offered to make a personal apology to the customer.

"We did as an organisation, apologise unreservedly to the complainant for the distress that this incident has caused. However, I understand that he remains frustrated at some aspects of the council’s action and I shall therefore be meeting with him to offer my personal apologies on behalf of the council in an attempt to resolve the situation.

"The issue of a lack of toilet facilities for our staff who are on the road all day is of course a sensitive one particularly in rural areas where there are far fewer amenities. We are reviewing our current practices to see if we can make any improvements."

The story attracted more than 60 comments on your Worcester News website, many expressing disgust at the binman’s behaviour.

Letterman said: "If this act was done by someone from the private sector, they would have been sacked."

The Doosra said: "His behaviour was inexcusable."

But truth must out said: "The incident was reported and the Council took disciplinary action. Is that not enough for some people. What more do they want .....blood!!!"