A WESTON family is outraged at North Somerset Council's decision to stop unwanted items from being sold at Weston's recycling centre. Staff at the tip have been taking good quality items out of the skips for a number of years and selling them to bargain-h

A WESTON family is outraged at North Somerset Council's decision to stop unwanted items from being sold at Weston's recycling centre.Staff at the tip have been taking good quality items out of the skips for a number of years and selling them to bargain-hunters.Annette Foan, aged 40, of Exford Close, has picked up countless items from the site in Aisecombe Way, from furniture and rugs to bikes and televisions for her three children.But the council has decided to put a stop to the practice, known as totting, due to health and safety fears.Miss Foan said: "It's disgraceful. The council is making out it is into recycling but then doing this.I've been going down there for about 10 years. I've been getting everything for the house including rugs, tables, chairs, garden furniture and pots. I've got some lovely stuff there."It's offensive what people throw away but at least it was being put back into circulation."Miss Foan's partner Frank Goold, aged 43, a builder, used to visit the tip nearly every day and bought bikes for about £3. He repaired them and then sold them on to children on housing estates for about £10.Miss Foan said: "Frank has sold bikes to about 50 or 60 children. All the youngsters were benefiting as they're from low income families, but now all those lovely bikes are going straight in the tip. Frank also looked out for things for our friends. We've helped so many people out who wouldn't have been able to afford the items at their normal prices."Charity shops can sell electrical goods if they hire an electrician to make sure items are safe and all other items can be sold as long as they meet fire safety requirements. A council spokesman said: "We can't be sure things are fit for their purpose. Items are still being taken out of the rubbish, like tables and washing machines, but we are looking at trying to get a contractor, like Weston Hospicecare, to come in and take the items so they won't go to landfill.