The Almuñécar Councillor for the Environment, together with the FCC cleaning company, has reported an increase in illegal dumping.

The main culprit is discarded furniture and household appliances, which, despite there being a free collection service available on Thursday nights, abound on roadsides and barrancos both in Almuñécar and La Herradura.

Consequently, the said Councillor reminds residents that if you have a large item of rubbish other than normal household waste, then you should phone 958 838 600 between 09.00h and 14.00h (normal town-hall hours) and let the collection service know.

Having done that, you drag out your reluctant, old sofa or fridge, sobbing at its abandonment, and leave it in front of your house on Thursday night – it will be collected next morning, if it hasn’t been disappeared by somebody who has taken a fancy to it.

That’s Almuñécar, but in the case of La Herradura, you have to phone 958 640 425 between the same times as above. It will be be collected on Tuesday morning, so stick it out on Monday night.

Illegal dumping will earn you a handsome fine if caught – jilted, ageing armchairs have been known to bubble their erstwhile owners.

(News: Almunecar/Herradura, Costa Tropical, Granada, Andalucia)