A NOT-for-profit community group has been hit by thieves, at a time when it is struggling to meet the cost of new waste permit charges.

A NOT-for-profit community group has been hit by thieves, at a time when it is struggling to meet the cost of new waste permit charges.

Thousands of pounds worth of equipment owned by Otter Rotters was stolen from an unspecified location last weekend.

Director Mandy Jennings said: "This adds another blow as our service is under extreme pressure from new waste permit charges being brought in by the Government.

"Previously, Otter Rotters, as a community composting group, was exempt from charges as it was recognised that efforts from such groups diverted material that would have ended up in landfill sites."

Otter Rotters is now paying charges on the same scale as large commercial companies.

However, Mrs Jennings is hopeful that there may be an opportunity to campaign for the fees to be moderated, but only if Otter Rotters can show public support for its services.