Elderly residents may have to apply for notes from their doctors to bypass Worthing's controversial new rubbish collection laws.

Worthing Borough Council's revamped front-of-house refuse collection scheme has provoked serious criticism from town residents and opposition councillors.

Most complaints focus on how elderly people unable to take their rubbish to the front of their houses will have to be certified "incapable" before binmen will make special trips to the backs of their homes.

Glossy information packs, costing more than £15,000, have been sent out telling people about the new arrangements.

The information pack states: "In case you are infirm, a covering note from a doctor may need to be produced."

But Worthing's Conservative leader Steven Waight said residents had not been given enough time to get notes from their doctors.

Councillor Waight said: "This is a cause of great concern, particularly for those unable to carry dustbins or bags out to the front of their properties.

"There are worries as to what will happen to those people who appear to have to go to the doctors to get a certificate to say they are not capable of doing so.

"I received my pack ten days before it is due to start. I don't know how easy it is to get doctor's appointments but I might not have had enough time if I was elderly or infirm.

"The cost of this is going up all the time. The Liberal Democrats have produced a glossy pack that contains seven separate sheets of information all on quality paper - it's unfortunate they did not put as much thought into how they can assist the elderly folk in town.

"It's likely some bins will be missed if some are not able to come to the front of their properties and get a note in time. That will result in more time being lost with people complaining."

The new arrangements follow health and safety concerns about dustmen having to collect from hazardous alleyways and the need to meet Government recycling targets.

Executive environment councillor Peter Green said the collectors would try to be "flexible" in the first few weeks of the new arrangements.

Coun Green said: "It is a question of talking to people and asking them if they genuinely need help moving their rubbish. It is not going to be arbitrary.

"We have got to be flexible at first. We are not going to suddenly cut off the service to people.

"If we think someone's trying to pull a fast one and get their rubbish collected from the back of their homes when they can move it, we might insist on a doctor's note. At this stage I do not think it's needed.

"The organisers are not ogres and realise some cannot do it."

Coun Green said the new scheme was already having the desired effect with council supplies of grey recycling bins running out after 1,200 requests.