AN IRATE local bin man has hit out after Pembrokeshire County Council ordered a toy with poppy to be removed from the front of a council refuse truck, the day before Remembrance Day.

The council worker, who asked to remain anonymous, contacted the Western Telegraph furious with the council's decision, branding it "disrespectful".

“I am so angry about this,” he said.

“My granddad fought in the war, and I think all soldiers should be remembered and honoured.

"To have taken that poppy off is just disrespectful.”

A spokesman for Pembrokeshire County Council said refuse lorry drivers had been previously told that nothing should be attached to the front or rear of the vehicles, for “safety reasons”, and there were “no exceptions” to this rule.

“Two toys with poppies were spotted attached by cable to the front of two separate vehicles and reported to our Compliance Officer a fortnight ago,” the spokesman said.

“One toy and poppy was removed by the Compliance Officer last Friday and a second was removed on November 10.

“It is unfortunate, given the time of year, that the toys also included poppies.

"However, we would have had no issue if a poppy had been in the cab or fitted to the windscreen - or indeed worn by the refuse collectors.

“The Compliance Officer is responsible for ensuring that our vehicles are roadworthy and meet transport regulations in line with our Operators licence.”