A COUNCILLOR has spoken about his disappointment with international sports retailer New Balance after an incident this week saw shoes strewn across a Cumbrian street.

Hundred of pairs of the sought-after trainers could be seen scattering a street in Shap on Monday, after a Market Square retailer closed and surplus stock was seemingly placed in a skip outside the former store.

Penrith town councillor Jonathan Davies was called to the village by residents who were concerned about the scene which he described as 'like something from a horror movie. There were shoes everywhere...'

Cllr Davies has expressed his disappointment at the way the sports brand decided to dispose of the shoes, which he believes could have been used to benefit the community.

Councillor Davies said: “I was quite shocked New Balance just threw them all out when Shap has a local charity shop for example they could have used them to raise funds for the local community.

“Literally down the road there is a fire station, where there is a Firefighters Charity closing bin. I am sure they could of used a good selection of shoes in there for helping to raise funds.

“To have seen all of them shoes thrown out like that, it was horrifying. They could have been helping with the Ukrainian families that are needing footwear and things.

READ MORE: 'Shoemaggedon' in Shap following closure of village New Balance store

“New Balance have obviously been very quiet about the whole issue, but I think it’s been very badly handled by them for what could have turned into a big public relation coup for them by having taken the footwear and donated it to local charities. Instead they have created a bit of a landfill issue which is wasting resources and wasting an opportunity.”

It is understood that New Balance had employed an exteral contractor to clear the stock and will now re-evaluate procedures on how stock is disposed of.

The company was approached for comment but had not replied at the time of publishing.