Ammanford business owners say inconsiderate residents are dumping household waste in the centre of town and leaving a nasty stink.

Khadine Sutherland, owner of Briez ice-cream parlour on High street said the issue has been ongoing for years but despite phone calls and emails to the council the problem still exists.

The dumped refuse bags - on the walkway from Hall street car park to High street - are said to belong to local residents but town traders say the problem has escalated in recent months with flytippers adding to the problem by dropping off bags of rubbish and driving off.

Mrs Sutherland said: "I have been in contact with Carmarthenshire county council since before Christmas, but it is like hitting your head against a brick wall.

"We are a food business and our premises is in very close proximity to the pathway so the situation is far from ideal for us.

"Traders who have been here a lot longer than I have said it has been a problem that has been going on for years.

"It is disgusting and the council should do more to stop this from happening."

The council instructs residents to leave their refuse bags out for collection the night before collection but Mrs Sutherland said both black and blue bags are dumped daily at the site.

"It is so unsightly," added Mrs Sutherland. "The rubbish lorry comes to clear them away and within a day there is a half a dozen mixed - blue and black - bags left on the path. It just builds up throughout the week to the point that people struggle to pass.

"It's not healthy and it's not hygienic and the council needs to act quickly to resolve this issue."

Responding to the complaint, Ainsley Williams, head of waste and environmental services, said: “We have been in discussion with residents and traders in regards to this ongoing issue.

"We continue to urge residents to only put waste out for collection on the night before their designated collection day, and to have some respect for their community.

"It is unacceptable to see waste being dumped in this area and accumulating throughout the week – this is a nuisance to the community and if necessary we will take enforcement action.”