A man who has just returned from holiday has filed a suit against the South Holland Council after garbage collectors destroyed his luggage with over $3,000 worth of various valuables inside. The garbage collectors thought the bag was garbage.

Phil Newbon from Spalding, Linconshire, in Great Britain said he left his baggage on the pavement fronting his home to talk with some friends. When he returned he was shocked to see his bag being crushed by grinders inside the garbage truck.

Worst, the council told him he would not be compensated for the incident.

In an article published in The Sun, Newbon said his 25-kg bag contains his clothes, mobile phone, sat-nav, digital cameras and gifts he brought from holiday for his family and friends. He said even his duty free shopping bag was destroyed.

The total damage amounts to $3,000 he said.

He said, "I couldn't believe my eyes. I only left my bags there while I talked to a friend after getting a lift back from the airport.

"Then they were gone and everything was being smashed to pieces. I thought I was being set up for a TV stunt. The council told me people often leave suitcases out for collection and I'm sure that's true.

"But I doubt they have 25kg of luggage inside, tags still attached and a bag of hand luggage and duty-free next to them."

A council spokesman told the newspaper, "The matter is under investigation."