A FATHER who claims his daughter's skin allergy is made worse by rubbish dumped outside his home has been told it's not the council's responsibility to clean it up.

Muhammed Malik says Black Horse Lane, in Taunton, is often strewn with food waste, cardboard, glass and plastic.

"There's always rubbish outside the door of my flat," said Mr Malik.

"My daughter's got a skin allergy and it makes it worse.

"It's a regular occurrence and it's horrible to see every time we step outside the door of our flat.

"The neighbours are always complaining as well and we need a solution.

"I've been to the council, but I was told it's not their job to pick it up."

A spokeswoman for Taunton Deane Borough Council said that Black Horse Lane is not an adopted highway so is therefore not maintained at public expense.

She added: "Since Black Horse Lane is in private ownership, the owner would be responsible for cleaning.

"Taunton Deane Borough Council cleans streets mechanically and manually throughout the week and great efforts are made to keep our environment clean and tidy.

"The public can play its part in keeping Taunton Deane clean by using litter bins provided, by making sure their waste and recycling bins are secured to prevent litter being blown around and vermin from raiding the boxes and bins.

"It is anti-social to drop litter and it costs the already stretched public purse to clean up the rubbish."