A MAN was taken to court and ordered to pay £240 for breaking council rules on recycling.

Leslie Brooks, 48, of Lower Street, Basildon, continued to put out his pink recycling sacks every week, despite not following council warnings to only put them out every fortnight.

Mr Brooks was found guilty in his absence at Basildon Magistrates’ Court of breaching the 1990 Environmental Protection Act and was fined £75, ordered to pay costs of £150 and a victim surcharge of £15.

Basildon Council insists the bags are only put out fortnightly for collection to prevent vermin and bad smells.

It is the first time it has prosecuted anyone over this issue.