'Tax on the dying'

And she called for the Lib Dem/Tory coallition to abandon the policy of charging for any items the shops receive that is not needed.

Mrs Jones said: "St Rocco's does a fantastic job for this town and I was appalled to learn that the council actually charge them for removing waste from their shops.

"People donate material to St Rocco's to help raise money and I don't believe that they expect the borough council to take a cut. It amounts to a tax on the dying.

"They can underwrite the ferris wheel to the tune of £30,000 and party on the rates, but it would seem that they can't make a small but important gesture to St Rocco's.

"I challenge the council leadership to abandon this mean spirited charge immediately. "

A council spokesman says: "Under Government legislation councils can charge for the collection and disposal of waste.

"The council took the decision to charge charities, including St Rocco's, 30 per cent less than the commercial rate to collect their waste. The council does not charge for the disposal of this waste.

"There is continued annual support for St Rocco's from the council including through the Mayor's charity appeal, sponsorship of events and fundraising including the Go Yellow campaign and starlight ladies walk."