'˜Mistakes like this will encourage people to dump rubbish!'

Terry, who is in his 50s and lives in Gilderdale, rang Luton Borough Council to request a pamphlet with the Progress Way opening times on Wednesday, March 1, and it arrived two days later.

The pamphlet stated that the centre, accessed via Ribocon Way, would be open during October - April from 9am - 5pm, so on Wednesday, March 8, Terry drove his van to the centre to get rid of a three-seater settee.

However, on arrival, a sign at Progress Way stated the centre was closed on Wednesdays.

Terry claims: “I was pretty astounded. The council are failing in their duty to advise customers or don’t even know their own centres’ opening and closing times.

“This kind of mistake will encourage genuine customers to dump goods as I wasted valuable time and effort.

“Why couldn’t they include a sticky note saying times had changed? I had the number, as I’d previously called the council to get a permit for my van.”

A Luton Borough Council spokesman said: “We appear to have sent out an old leaflet by mistake and are very sorry to hear of the inconvenience caused. Opening times for Luton’s two tidy tips changed in January and we made residents aware via a comprehensive newspaper and social media awareness campaign.”

For times see www.luton.gov.uk/Environment/Rubbish_waste_and_recycling/Pages/tips-and-recycling-centres.aspx