Bin collections across a Kent district are currently delayed as a result of waste contractor Serco suffering Covid-19 related staff shortages.

Canterbury City Council expects the issue to remain for at least the remainder of the week.

Serco crews are prioritising ridding Canterbury, Herne Bay and Whitstable residents of their residual household rubbish rather than garden waste.

The city council says recycling collections are not affected at this stage.

A statement released this morning reads: "Our waste contractor Serco is experiencing Covid-19-related staff shortages this morning which will have an impact on collections for at least the remainder of this week.

"While Serco managers work through their well-rehearsed contingency plans such as asking staff who are on leave to come in and employing agency staff, they will focus on collecting residual household waste because of the direct impact it has on residents and the environment.

"Crews will tackle garden waste as soon as possible, so please leave your bins out for collection."

Serco, which is one of the largest companies involved the Government’s Test and Trace scheme, is losing its contract with the city council next year.

Poor performances sparked the authority to cut ties with the firm.

The council is now getting prepped to start its own collection service, the Canterbury Environment Company, from January.

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