Ayr town centre is hosting piles of rubbish as waste continues to stack up amid a week-long bin strike.
South Ayrshire is one of 13 councils across Scotland taking part in industrial action over better pay for refuse workers.
Staff walked out last Wednesday with no bin collections expected until Thursday.
Bins in Ayr High Street, Alloway Street, Sandgate and nearby Academy and Fort streets are overflowing with litter, with bags bursting open and spilling onto pavements.
Bottles, cups and cartons are now being stacked high on top of bins in a Jenga-like manner.
Last week, the council originally said they would “concentrate on collecting general waste (green bins/green lidded bins)” but later announced on their social media channels that they are “currently not collecting any bins”.
The statement continued: “If you have a scheduled green bin/green lidded bin collection between Wednesday, August 24 and Thursday, September 1, please don’t put your green bin out.
“From September 1, we will concentrate on making arrangements to collect any missed green bins and will update you as soon as we can.
“Remember, our household waste recycling centre at Heathfield, Ayr is open from 7am during the strike. Please remember to book a time slot.
“All other recycling centres are closed.”
One resident pleaded: “As a matter of health and safety, you really should empty the bins on end of Academy St/Fort St as members of the public just keep piling their bags.
“The residents whose bins these are haven’t added to it for days, but people who don’t live here don’t care and just dump bags.
“There are flies and all sorts already. This is right next to a school!
“I fully support the workers striking for better pay and work rights, but like the trains, surely you have to do some bin runs.”
Another said: “My bin is full of maggots...health and safety disaster.”
Waste collection services in South Ayrshire will be affected by industrial action by Unite and GMB workers up to Thursday, September 1.
Unions are seeking an agreement similar to the one made to council workers in England; a deal that included a £1,925 flat rate pay offer, which the union said would benefit the lowest paid the most.
Further strikes have also been scheduled on dates between Tuesday, September 6 and Tuesday, September 13 by refuse workers in more than 20 council areas, including all three Ayrshire councils.
South Ayrshire Council has been contacted for comment.
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