By Hayley Robinson

hrobinson@thekmgroup.co.uk

Every available refuse lorry is out and about in Sittingbourne today as contractors Verdant make it a priority to deal with the back log of rubbish.

Thousands of properties missed out on their weekly refuse and recycling collection last week after the service was cancelled by Swale council due to the treacherous weather conditions. Verdant had only just cleared the last back log after the service was cancelled just before Christmas for the same reason.

Residents are asked to leave out their black sacks and recycling bags as well as their green bins but the garden waste collection service has been suspended until January 25.

A spokesman for the council said: "For today, tomorrow and Saturday we will be attempting to clear the remaining overdue collections from the end of last week, especially in the Sittingbourne area, and carrying out the normal scheduled collections for this week.

"With the improvement in weather every available vehicle has been out since first thing.

There are still some collections outstanding for dates prior to last Thurs and these remain our priority. Again we are anticipating sufficient improvement in conditions to clear these by the weekend.

"Any collections not made this week will be made as soon as practical, but may possibly be early next week.

"All our plans are weather dependent but at the moment the situation seems to be in our favour. Please be aware that any sharp deterioration in weather conditions may see these plans varied."

Alternatively waste and recycling can be taken to the Household Waste Recycling Centres at Church Marshes, Gas Road, Sittingbourne (near ASDA); Preston Forge, Salters Lane, Faversham (past the football ground); Stoneyard, Sheerness (next to the station). They are open 08.00 to 16.30 during the week, 09.00 to 16.00 Sundays. These centres do not have facilities for recycling plastic.

Bottle banks are located throughout the Borough, and at most of the large supermarkets, such as Tesco, Sainsbury’s, ASDA, Morrison’s, etc.

For further updates visit www.swale.gov.uk/snow