ARMED with only a trailer, a pair of gloves and old-fashioned grit and determination, a pensioner has cleared more than 1,000 bags of rubbish – and put himself in line for the Daily Echo Golden Bin Bag Award.

Alan Kebbell, 67, from Ventnor Court, Southampton, decided to take action after a 6ft mountain of rotting waste sacks dominated the courtyard of the sheltered accommodation where he lives.

Over a couple of days the retired bin man loaded hundreds of bags into the back of his trailer, before taking them to the Endle Street waste site in Chapel.

Alan said: “The pile had built up to way over the top of my head and was covering most of the courtyard.

“There was a really terrible smell and flies were everywhere. A lot of the people here are elderly and more susceptible to disease.

“I realised no one else was really capable of clearing the backlog so decided I would get stuck into it myself.

“It’s been hard work but it has kept me out of trouble.”

When grateful residents started offering to give Alan some beer money for his troubles he decided to donate the money to charity instead.

His efforts saw more than £90 raised for the Rose Road Association, a local charity that provides services for disabled youngsters.

Alan’s hard work has made him a contender for the Daily Echo Golden Bin Bag Award, which will be handed out to the person who has gone the extra step to stop the bins in their community from overflowing.

Lesley Beyleveld, chairman of the Ventnor Court Tenants’ Association, said: “Alan was the one to come up with the idea and has been brilliant in clearing all the rubbish.

“He’s always helping others and has done a brilliant job in clearing the backlog of bags at Ventnor Court.”

Alan has vowed to continue clearing the rubbish bags until the bin men return to work.

“I’m going to keep clearing the bags until the strikes are over. I think more people should get involved if they can and help keep Southampton clean and tidy.”