BIN bags full of uncollected rubbish were today still lining the streets of Swindon as a result of last week's strike by council workers.

The problem is particularly bad in Union Street in Old Town where black bags have been piled up on street corners since last Wednes-day.

Residents are worried about the health implications of leaving waste out for such a long time especially following the hot weather, but the council today said it was set to carry out a double collection.

Matthew Green, 31, of Union Street, said: "It really is a health hazard especially with dogs or foxes clawing at the bags and the rubbish spilling out onto the paths.

"It's very warm as well which encourages bacterial growth."

Marion Howard, 59, also of Union Street, said that rubbish from the adjacent Stanley Street was collected last Friday and she did not understand why the refuse collectors could not pick up the other bags.

She said: "It's pretty bad. Some bags are split. Any stray can get at them and rip them up.

"I don't understand why they didn't collect the rubbish if they were in the area anyway rather than leaving it for some more days."

Despite the inconvenience, residents remained largely sympathetic to the industrial action which was prompted by three public service unions Unison, GMB and T&GWU after the Government turned down their claim for a six per cent pay rise for all local authority workers.

Council workers are set to stage another national strike on August 14 which could mean further disruption to services including refuse collection.

Vincent Ritchie, 39, of Union street, said: "It probably is a health hazard but rubbish being left out for one week is not that terrible.

"You do feel for them. They are only fighting for what they are entitled to and the only way to do it is take action."

Steve Deacon, 40, of Union Street, added: "They block the path a bit but I've not really found it an inconvenience."

Swindon council spokeswoman Hellen Barnes said: "A double waste collection will take place on Wednesday for those areas affected by the industrial action last week. Crews have collected extra rubbish bags where possible within the time available but the priority has been to collect the day's rubbish.

"Street cleaners have cleared rubbish bags where, for instance, a bag has been split and was likely to cause a health and safety hazard."