A homeowner has been left with bags of lethal asbestos after a refuse and recycling centre refused to take all her waste.

Natalie Andrews, 44, from Portslade, had amassed around 100 bags of the dangerous substance after renovating the roof of her new home in Mile Oak Road.

She claimed that after following instructions on the Brighton and Hove City Council website, she filled each bag with asbestos-ridden roof tiles and double bagged them ahead of a visit to the tip in Hove.

But on arrival at the refuse and recycling site off Old Shoreham Road, she was told by workers she could only get rid of six bags each month.

Miss Andrews said: “Consequently we have dangerous material now just sitting in our front garden.

“I think it’s ludicrous. We had around 100 bags of tiles to dispose of but on visiting the dump we were informed they will only accept six bags every month.

“We are not a company and even showed proof of this at the tip.

“We only want to dispose of this in the right way. We pay our council tax and surely have a right to dump things at the tip as and when we need to.

“Is this what the council think is promoting a healthy environment and discouraging fly tipping?”

Miss Andrews also claimed the refuse staff were unhelpful.

She added: “They didn't even help me carry the bags and lift them into the bin which was very difficult as I am 44, a size 8 and 5ft3ins.”

Breathing in air containing asbestos fibres can lead to asbestosis, lung cancer and other diseases.

It has been illegal to use asbestos in construction work since the 1970s, but can still be found in properties built before then.

A spokesman from Brighton and Hove City Council said: “We take the disposal of hazardous materials very seriously.

“It is essential that builders quote for the removal of all waste – especially any large quantities of asbestos.

“The rules are designed so that commercial quantities of asbestos are not passed through the domestic waste system, for taxpayers to pick up the disposal costs.

“Otherwise builders would be offering cheap deals to householders if they agree to take building waste to the domestic tip.

“We advise householders to check trading standards’ Buy With Confidence pages to find reputable contractors.”