IN its latest announcement on the continued failure to collect brown garden waste bins across the borough, Thurrock Council has now confirmed it has written off any collections for this week - and none will be made next week either.

A statement from the cash-strapped council which has repeatedly made broken pledges that its collection service will be improved and that collections will return to their scheduled dates, says: "

"We regret we will be unable to collect or return for any brown bins from Monday, 20 March to Friday, 24 March, or from Monday, 27 March to Friday, 31 March.

"If all the brown bins in your street are not collected on your usual day in your scheduled week, we will return for them on your next scheduled 'Week 1' or 'Week 2' collection day.

"We apologise for any inconvenience.

"Food waste should be put in your green/grey wheeled bin instead of your brown bin.

"Since Monday 6 March, we are collecting food waste as part of our green/grey bin collections. Brown bins are now for garden waste only – check what goes in your bins."