A WINCHESTER woman has threatened legal action against workmen who left tonnes of rubbish on her lawn for over six months.

Maureen Hilling, 66, says contractors dumped the huge sack at her house in Colley Road, Abbotts Barton, after repairing her garage in December.

But the builders never collected it – and even came back in a van to add other people's rubbish to the load, she said.

Horizon Roofing says it ordered the removal after the Chronicle got in touch on Wednesday – but Ms Hilling is considering a bid to the Small Claims Court.

"Every time I come home from work I hope it would be gone but it never was," said Maureen, a receptionist. "I can't see even a little crane would lift it up because it's absolutely solid full.

"All the neighbours keep saying 'why's it not gone, why's it not gone?' Everybody round here takes care of their gardens – it's just horrible.

"I paid for the removal on my invoice," she added. "It was the fact that they came and added to it. If it was my stuff I would have taken it down to the tip myself."

Horizon owner Dash Duraku said the sack was left because Ms Hilling failed to pay a £200 bill for chimney work.

Calls from the Chronicle served as a "reminder" to cut his losses and remove it, he said, adding that Winchester Guttering and Roofing, who contracted them to do the roof work, "haven't done what they were supposed to do".

He declined further comment.

Meanwhile, Winchester Guttering and Roofing owner Mike Parson said: "It's still there? We've been trying to get hold of them and actually get rid of it. That's wrong – that's absolutely disgusting.

"I've actually sent someone round there and offered them £70 to take it but they couldn't lift it. I feel a little bit guilty because I recommended Horizon Roofing to them because they've done a few good jobs for me."