THE CHANGE in bin schedule caused a different sort of disruption to one Burnham-on-Crouch resident.

Lorraine Lazaro, of West Ley, Burnham-on-Crouch, has a phone number very similar to Maldon District Council.

Hers is just one digit different to the Council line.

After the change in pick-ups around Burnham, Lorraine found herself being asked to explain the changes to several confused residents.

She said: “They used to come in thick and fast and then they died down a little bit.

“But when the new bins came into effect, I think everybody got into a panic, tried to ring the council and misdialled the number.

“I have had about seven calls in the last week, mainly about bins.”

Normally, Lorraine explains to them there mistake and carries on with her life, but occasionally she is forced to listen to the entire problem before she can correct the caller’s error.

“I try not to laugh,” said Lorraine. “If they let me talk then I tell them the mistake and its fine.

“But when you get the people who won’t let you get a word in edgeways they end up discussing the whole thing with you and when I finally tell them they’re talking to the wrong person they ask me to direct them to the right one.”

Despite the regular disruption, Lorraine has never attempted to have a go at solving the issue herself: “No, never. I wouldn’t know where to begin.

“I heard from one lady who used to have a number similar to the Dengie Sports Centre and she would make badminton bookings over the phone for people.”

If you have an enquiry for Maldon District Council, the number to call is 01621 854477.