The woman alleges workers at the Brixworth recycling centre "recycled" a topless holiday snap of her by pinning it to an office noticeboard.

According to Annette Fraser, her picture, which she threw out with other rubbish a few weeks ago, is now part of a secret stash of compromising snaps seen hanging up at the centre.

Ms Fraser said: "When I found out I felt angry and violated. I live in Brixworth and have children who go to school here. I think it's disgusting."

Ms Fraser said the topless photograph, taken on holiday in Majorca, was among items she dumped six weeks ago.

She said: "You trust them to get rid of your rubbish and not rifle through it and take your personal pictures. You don't expect to be made into a calendar."

The discovery came when a friend of Ms Fraser's visited the centre earlier this week.

According to Lisa Lymes, workers had hung up a handful of pictures, some far more revealing than the one of Ms Fraser.

Ms Lymes told the Chronicle & Echo that on a previous visit to the centre she had seen a worker go through a bin bag, discovering sex toys and condoms.

When she visited on Tuesday, she jokingly asked him if he had "found any more goodies".

Ms Lymes added: "He said, 'No, but I've found some pictures'. So I went into this little shed, which had 'Reception' written on it.

"I went in there and looked at this pinboard, which had a picture of my friend, Annette, on it and some other women.

"I told the man, 'That's my friend, Annette,' and he said, 'Don't tell anyone, because you will get me into trouble'."

A Northamptonshire County Council spokeswoman said: "We have attempted to speak to Miss Frasier about the details of this matter several times, but have so far been unsuccessful.

"If we do manage to speak to her, we will be able to obtain the full details surrounding her concerns and will then be in a position to investigate further."

mark.waffel@northantsnews.co.uk