GARDEN waste collections are being suspended in Taunton Deane, Mendip and South Somerset from today (January 25) to help crews catch up with collections disrupted by the recent bad weather.

Somerset Waste Partnership’s managing director Steve Read is asking residents to be patient as collection crews continue to work extra hours to sort out the backlog.

He said: “We have faced days of disruption due to the bad weather and are now having to suspend garden waste collections from Friday, January 25, in Mendip, Sedgemoor and Taunton Deane.

"Quantities of garden waste being put out have been very low and these collection crews and vehicles will be much more effective in helping clear any backlog of missed refuse collections.

“Scheduled garden waste services should resume within two weeks, so we expect those with these paid-for collections to miss only one collection.”

Householders are reminded that in bad weather, refuse and recycling should continue to be put out by 7am on usual collection days.

If missed due to bad weather, recycling should remain out by 7am for up to three working days and refuse by 7am for up to five working days.

If still missed after that, the waste should be taken in and put back out on the next usual collection day, where it will be picked up along with all extra materials.

Full information on current services and catch-up arrangements are posted on Somerset Waste Partnership's website at www.somersetwaste.gov.uk