Rows of black bags line the pavements waiting to be collected by the binmen.

But for some, by the time the bags are collected many of the sacks have been ripped to shreds by cats and dogs.

"Rubbish from the open bags just ends up all over the street and we are forced to tidy it up," said Vera Harrison, of Heathfield Square.

"The cats round here are always scratching at them."

In other towns across the country, the problem seems to have been solved by wheelie bins.

And Mrs Harrison believes it is about time Macclesfield Borough Council followed suit.

"I think wheelie bins are a great idea because they are more hygienic than bags," said the 67-year-old.

"And it must be easier to push them out on to the street instead of lifting the heavy bags."

But a spokesman for Macclesfield Borough Council said yesterday (Tuesday) that there was no need for residents to leave their rubbish in the street unless binmen could not get into their bin sheds.

"Our back door collection service makes it easier for residents because the job of lifting and moving the bags will be done for them," she said. "But if the borough adopted the wheelie bin collection service, people would be forced to move the bins themselves."

But Mrs Harrison disagreed.

"My rubbish doesn't get collected unless I put all the bags on the street," she said. "It's as simple as that."

Clive Crouchman, 64, of Teal Avenue, said he was satisfied with the current service.

"The binmen always take my rubbish from my bin so I don't have to move it about," he said.

One resident feared wheelie bins could attract burglars.

"If the bin is left out all day because you're out at work then thieves know that there is no-one home," said Paul Moonan, of Beechwood.

"But once the sacks have been taken away, there is nothing to show whether you're in or out."