A GOODWORTH Clatford man who has been using Test Valley Borough Council's controversial green waste bags says he has discovered a stinking green discharge which seeps from the sacks.

With half an acre of garden to keep under control retired Warner Hall paid £25 for two collection sacks to take away his grass clippings and other green waste.

But after using the bags for the first time he noticed an unwanted by-product left on his drive after the collection was made.

"We had to use a sack truck to move the bags to the entrance because they were so heavy," he said.

"When they were moved a stinking green effluent come out of the bottom.

"I would like to know whether it poses any danger but I know farmers have to take care when making silage because of possible pollution.

"As it was I had to waste a lot of water to get rid of the mess but I am still left with finding somewhere to store two horribly smelly bags.

"I think these sacks have proved to be an expensive mistake for the council and they have failed miserably.

"I have the option of using my trailer and then waiting in the queue to deliver the waste to the recycling centre in Andover."

The men collecting the sacks were covered in the unpleasant liquid.

He says he wouldn't buy the bags a second time.

A spokeswoman for Test Valley Borough Council said: "The liquid left is not toxic or harmful in any way.

"It is a natural by-product of what has been put in the sacks.

"It should wash away very easily and our advice to anyone who is particularly concerned is to store bags containing grass cuttings on bare earth."