Householders angry at discarded trolleys

He said: "At the moment, no-one is doing anything and it just seems to be getting worse. No-one seems to want to take ownership of the problem. Tesco, the college, the police and Runnymede Council all have powers to stop this, if they worked together in partnership they could solve this in one.

"It's not just Egham though, it seems to be happening at Tesco's elsewhere, they are totally reactive, not pro-active."

Dick Cossar, 57, of Lynwood Avenue, said: "We are right in the middle of the racing lane of the trolleys here. Every year when the students are here it's the same.

"They do present a nuisance after midnight when the students race them down the road, or with their suitcases in when they're coming from the station. Apart from the clattering around, they're a bit of an eyesore, but also, the fact that it's theft. It's been going on for years, but I can't see it changing."

A Royal Holloway College spokesman said: "We strongly discourage students from removing trolleys from any store and this message is part of their induction address at the start of the year.

"The college notifies Tesco store and the local authority of any trolleys abandoned on our property, and in this case, it had already been done. We would welcome Tesco taking firmer action in keeping trolleys on their premises and doing more to ensure those reported to them are returned promptly."