A COUNCIL has called for an investigation into claims that a pensioner was told to pay in cash and denied a receipt while disposing of rubbish at Andover Household Waste and Recycling Centre.

Hampshire County Council says it will instruct site operators Veolia to look into the complaint, made by 77-year-old Jake Kimberley.

The Andover-born fatherof-two was helping his son renovate his new home in Barton Stacey when he made the trip to the Walworth Business Park-based tip.

On arrival the retired carpenter, who now lives in Canada, was told he would need to pay £48 to bin his four bags of bricks and six bags of plasterboard.

Although Mr Kimberley says he has “no issue” with paying to dispose of household waste, he claims he was left “shocked” to be told he could only pay in cash.

His shock turned to disbelief when he asked for a receipt, only to be told that the centre did not have the facilities to provide one.

Recalling the experience, Mr Kimberley, said: “I was quite surprised because the person just pointed at the bags and put a price on each one without weighing them and told me it would be £48.

“I asked how I could pay and the person said they only accepted cash.

“Fortunately I had £48 in my wallet but I don’t know what I would have done if I didn’t.

“I asked the person for a receipt but they said they had no receipts.

Asked how he felt about the incident, the 77-year-old said: “It was disappointing. “Anyone who pays by cash should be able to get a receipt.

“I don’t mind paying to get rid of waste like this because I know it can be difficult to get rid of.

“But I think it should be done by weight and not just in cash.”

He added: “The thing that should not go amiss is how they work out things like VAT with a system like that.”

The Advertiser contacted Hampshire County Council, which is responsible for waste disposal.

The authority said it would instruct Veolia, its management contractor for sites such as Andover Household Waste and Recycling Centre, to look into the alleged incident.

A county council spokesperson said: “We were sorry to hear about this person’s experience at the Household Waste Recycling Centre.

“We have asked our management contractor, Veolia, to investigate this incident and report their findings to us.

“Bank cards are accepted as payment for non-household waste material, and receipts should always be offered.

“Charges are calculated in accordance with our published policy.

“We would like to offer our apologies for the way this customer appears to have been treated, and will await the outcome of Veolia’s investigations.”