Ashford Borough Council will be offering people the chance to start the new gardening recycling service early.

As part of the new £86 million Biffa recycling and refuse contract, the council is offering an optional fortnightly garden recycling collection to residents for £30 a year.

Although the service was due to start in summer, anyone who signs up for the service by Friday, April 27 will receive their new brown bin in May, with collections starting two weeks later.

Anyone who signs up after that date will receive their bin in July, with collections starting two weeks later alongside the household refuse and food waste collections.

Portfolio holder for environment Cllr Jessamy Blanford (Con, pictured left) said: “We have been delighted with the response to the garden recycling service so far.

"We have more than 780 people registered for the service to date, and we’re sure this will continue when spring finally arrives."

To register for the service or for more information go to www.ashford.gov.uk/gardenrecycling