LYE residents have reacted with anger at seeing piles of rubbish bags dumped outside the town's chemist shop - completely blocking the entrance.

Black bin bags filled with waste were left piled up outside Lloyds Pharmacy in Lye High Street last night (Sunday August 18).

Conservative campaigner Kamran Razzaq said it was a "shock" to see the huge pile, which he estimated comprised 40 to 50 bags of rubbish, right outside the shop's front door.

He said he reported the issue to the council as it was a "hazard and blocking a business" - and Dudley Council has confirmed it sent its out of hours emergency team to collect the rubbish last night.

Councillor Karen Shakespeare, Dudley's cabinet member for environmental, highways and street services, said: “As soon as we were made aware of this, our out of hours team were notified and we collected the rubbish almost immediately as it was blocking the pavements and potentially causing a hazard.

“I’m advised that this is not the first time this has happened, and therefore I would urge anyone who may have seen anything which could help us to get in touch on 0300 555 2345.

“People who dump rubbish illegally are not only breaking the law but do untold damage to this borough.

"We will do everything we can to catch and prosecute them.

“There are more ways than ever before for people to report issues to us including phone, email, social media, our website and the council smartphone app.

"I would like to thank people who love their community as much as we do by reporting issues to us, and urge people to continue helping us to catch and prosecute these criminals.”

Residents in Lye say they are at the end of their tether over litter and fly-tipping problems in the High Street.

Sarah Janey Taylor, who has lived in the town for 11 years, said: "It's getting a lot worse."

"It's disgusting," she added as she called on the authorities to take action to improve the ongoing situation.

Meanwhile - Poshkutz pet grooming parlour boss Gary Farmer, who spoke out in the News last week about the state of the High Street, has organised for a peaceful community gathering to take place at 7pm tomorrow (Tuesday August 20) to highlight the strength of feeling among residents and traders regarding the town's issues which also include worries about rogue landlords and crime.

He said: "This is not a protest - just a little get together of folk who want action."