ELDERLY people in West Somerset were left ‘stuck with waste’ because they weren’t able to access online-only recycling centres.

A number of waste disposal sites in the area had moved to an online-booking system, leaving some residents who had relied on telephone bookings without a way to get rid of their rubbish.

It is understood alternate provisions are now being put in place, after Mid Devon councillor and parliamentary candidate Rachel Gilmour stepped in to highlight the issue. She said the move to online-only services was “discriminatory” toward some elderly and vulnerable people.

She said: "Tiverton and Minehead has a large elderly population and more people are disadvantaged here than in other areas.

“The issue was brought to my attention by former Conservative Councillor Barbra Childs, and after raising it with the leader of Somerset Council, Bill Revans, he confirmed provisions would be made for those without computers.”

Ms Gilmour is now urging residents to support an ongoing campaign by Age UK, which is helping to highlight how some elderly people are left underserved by online-only services.

The charity for the over-60s believes as many as six million older people living in the UK have no access to the internet, making it a struggle to access services which require the use of websites or apps.

Backing the campaign, Mrs Gilmour said: “This is an important campaign to protect the rights of elderly people who do not have access to a computer or no ability to use one.

“It is discriminatory to exclude a large section of the population from access to goods and services, just because they either do not have, or do not use the technology required.

"Even household name companies are now only using email communications, rather than answering phone calls.

"I urge constituents to sign this petition as soon as possible so their voices are heard, loud and clear. I would also like to thank the inimitable Miss Child for bringing it to my attention.”

More than 50,000 people have already signed, and you can access the petition here: https://campaigns.ageuk.org.uk/page/135031/petition