CHILTERN recycling company Verdant has apologised to a young boy who took them to task for failing to keep the bins clear.

Eight-year-old Sam Lawrence, a pupil at Elangeni School in Woodside Avenue, Chesham Bois, went to the Amersham on the Hill recycling point at Rickmansworth Road as part of a pollution project on February 15.

He and his mother, Jane, 43, a housewife, found rubbish and bottles overspilling and contacted the Amersham & Chesham Free Press.

Brian Ashby, business manager at Verdant, said: "It shouldn't have happened but it did, and on behalf of all my Verdant team, I apologise for what young Sam Lawrence, his parents and others recently found at the Hill recycling point."

He said the problem was caused by vehicle breakdown, and that there had only been one similar incident there in the past 30 months.

"When breakdowns happen they obviously have an effect on everyone in the district, including us.

"We have a fairly robust plan in action now if the same situation should arise.

"It's a testament to the way people recycle in this area - they do it with such unbelievable speed that if we even break down for a couple of hours there's an overspill."

Sam's father, David Lawrence, 39, a director at The Promotions Practice in Amersham, welcomed the comments.

He said: "We're delighted to hear when things like this get a response.

"It sounds very positive and constructive, and hopefully there won't be a repeat in the future."