THURROCK Council has announced it will be extending its garden waste collections to run all year round from next year, at no extra cost to subscribers.

The current cost is £80 a year for one bin and £50 for a second.

The service is being expanded to continue collections for six extra weeks between 21 February and 8 April.

Cllr Victoria Holloway, Cabinet member for Place and the Environment, said: "Residents deserve a year-round service for their subscription fee. Having listened to residents about their service and their fees we will ensure will are not increasing the amount residents pay so there is a consistent price of this service each year.

"Many residents have seen the value of the service and we hope this commitment to a year round service at a fixed fee will encourage even more residents to sign up to the scheme to boost the amount of garden waste collected and recycled.  

"By extending the service and freezing the cost we want to make sure that residents get the best service possible while providing excellent value for money."

Guidelines on bin collections.