A CARETAKER who was using his own car to carry around rubbish for a town council is to get a van.

Colin Ballard, who has been working for Upton Town Council for two years, was using his own car to ferry rubbish, cement and bricks but the interior became a wreck.

When he bought a new car recently, he asked the council for a van and now his wish has been granted.

Mr Ballard said: "I'm glad I don't have to put stuff in my car anymore I'm very grateful, I can do my job more efficiently now.

"I used to use my car to carry everything, from trimming hedges, strimming, blowing, top soiling, anything.

"You have to get the stuff away so I put it in a bag, shoved it in my car.

"I had to scrap my old car. I'd been using it since I started two years ago. The interior was a wreck.

"I mentioned to a councillor about having a new van. When I got a new car I said 'that's it now please get a van as soon as possible'."

The 55-year-old, who lives in New Street, Upton, has tried to avoid putting rubbish into his new car.

"Luckily this time of the year I've done all the strimming so I don't have to take it in the car," he said.

He added that sometimes he was not able to do certain jobs because he didn't have a van.

"When we have a flood it leaves mud behind on the walkways. We use a pump to wash the mud away," he said.

"I need a van to get the pump to them.

"I took the pump out six times last year. I've had fly-tipping on Old Street and it blocks the way at night.

"A van is handy for stuff like that."

Councillors agreed to buy a van for him at a full council meeting this month.

Cllr Graham Francis said: "It occurred to me that it was wrong that Colin was using his own transport for carrying rubbish, cement, bricks and God knows what else around.

"What's more is if we get a van we can put Upton Town Council on the side and it raises the profile of the council.

"I raised it originally at the staffing, they agreed, it went to finance, they agreed and now it's gone through full council."

The councillor said the van will be second hand and therefore not cost the council a significant amount.