Knives uncovered in rubbish bags

Staff sifting through rubbish in Lancashire are regularly finding knives in bags left out for recycling, a council has said.

Bosses at Burnley Council said workers are at risk of serious injury after uncovering the weapons among cardboard and textiles in recycling bags.

Recent discoveries include a craft knife with its blade fully extended and a kitchen knife.

The council said it will refuse to pick up any suspect bags.

"On each occasion staff could have been seriously injured by a sharp blade left open in what is a thin plastic bag," said Angela Culleton, the council's environment services manager.

"They could have suffered cuts or stab wounds."

Burnley Council said mixing other rubbish with cardboard and textiles means it has to be sifted out which, in the long term, could make the service more expensive to run.