Weekly refuse collections to stay

Weekly rubbish collections in a Kent town are to be retained following a public vote on the issue.

More than 94% of 10,379 residents who took part in Dartford Borough Council's "Big Bin Vote" wanted a weekly rather than fortnightly service.

The authority said it would also provide more wheelie bins for recycling following requests.

The referendum is thought to be one of the first such votes on council services.

'Best for residents'

Dartford Borough Council leader, Conservative councillor Jeremy Kite, said: "We're here to do our best for residents and that's what we intend to do."

He added: "Feedback from residents also shows that the Government's reassurances over alternate weekly collections are falling on deaf ears.

"People don't agree that rotting food waste can be stored in a bin for up to two weeks without some serious effect on the environment - a view I happen to share.

"We need to work with residents to ensure we reduce the waste we throw away and increase the levels of waste we can reuse and recycle."

The government previously defended the alternate collections saying there was "no evidence" that removing food and other waste fortnightly posed a health risk.