Controversial plans to axe ‘offensive’ waste collections have been scrapped.

The plans would have seen items including adult incontinence nappies and colostomy bags going in with all the normal waste and collected fortnightly.

Council bosses had told affected residents they would have to apply for additional grey bins if required.

But they have now informed residents they will continue to collect the orange bags at homes where people want to continue with the service.

Oswaldtwistle dad Dave Ryan’s 16-year-old daughter Shannon, suffers from Down’ Syndrome.

He said: "I didn’t know what I was going to do about it.

"We do all the recycling they ask and in the next breath they’re asking you to put human waste in a domestic bin. I didn’t want another bin on my property.

"It’s not an easy thing to talk about but it’s worked great for years this way."

Council leader Coun Miles Parkinson said: "When we spoke to residents and councillors about plans to move to a collection system using the domestic grey wheeled bins, most were happy with the plans but one or two were not.

"We’ve always said we would listen to what people say and so we will now be talking to each of them again."

The service, which is no longer a legal requirement, currently serves 55 homes.

A motion to overturn the policy had been defeated at an emotionally-charged full council meeting on Thursday, September 22.

Oswaldtwistle Conservative Coun Marlene Haworth claimed it was a "disgraceful" decision that would affect "weak and vulnerable" residents.

"There is a massive difference between nappy waste and adult waste.

"Would any councillor in this room like their dustbin filled with human waste for a fortnight?"

Former binman Independent Coun Dave Parkins said: "I used to collect these and the stench of them just after a week was bad enough.

"A fortnight is too long for colostomy dressings and things like that.

"To give them a bit of dignity I think they should be collected more than once a fortnight."

Defending the policy, deputy leader Coun Clare Pritchard said: "I would rather display two grey bins than orange bags that make everybody in neighbourhood aware of what they're collecting. I don’t see that it’s a huge issue."

Labour Coun Gareth Molineux said that nappy waste didn’t smell if placed in scented bags.