A mum whose daughter has Down’s syndrome and suffers from a rare windpipe condition has accused bin bosses of trying to wriggle out of their duty after her bins became infested with maggots.

Jo Elkes, 36, of Roby Drive in Birch Hill, says she is the “best bin owner in the world” and does everything she is advised to by Bracknell Forest Council but still has a “disgusting” problem with maggots.

As well as having Down’s syndrome, her three-year-old daughter Grace also suffers from a condition called long segment tracheal stenosis, which means she has breathing difficulties.

Her mother says, as a result, she works extremely hard to keep her away from anything which may affect her condition and was horrified to find the maggots spilling out of the bin and into her house.

Jo became more angry after calling Bracknell Forest Council asking for assistance.

She says she was told the council was not able to help because the bins were on private land.

But Jo says the maggots had spilled on to the pavement and feels as a taxpayer the council should have helped more.

She was also furious at what she says was a lack of manners from council staff and said one member of staff even hung up on her.

Jo said: “I was very disappointed. I work really hard to keep the bin clean. I double bag everything and pay to have the bin cleaned privately.

“But there are still maggots.

“It got horrendous, they were spilling out everywhere. If they got in the house, it could have been serious for Grace.”

She said she wanted the council to come round and jetwash her drive, and was appalled by the customer service.

Jo added: “The council is now coming to inspect the bins to see what they can do, but I think that’s because I told them I was going public.

“One member of staff was really rude, they kept interrupting me and then they hung up, so I went to war.

“All I was asking is that they jetwash the drive. They said ‘no’ straight away, it’s not good enough.”

Cllr Mrs Dorothy Hayes, environment executive member, said: “It only takes one fly to land on food and lay eggs to potentially cause maggots.”

It was vital food was always covered, including barbecue food left outside, and that food waste, including pet food, is wrapped up tightly, she said.

“Bracknell Forest Council receives minimal complaints about maggots in bins and offers help and advice to anyone struggling to deal with their waste. The council was unable to provide jet-washing facilities as council tax funding cannot stretch to this arrangement.”

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