A local authority is set to stop green waste collections indefinitely after suffering from depleted staff numbers as a result of the coronavirus.

Canterbury City Council has today announced the decision to suspend the service from the beginning of next week (Monday, March 23), blaming ill health and self-isolation for contractor Serco's reduced workforce.

Authority spokesman Rob Davies says collections will go-ahead in parts of the district tomorrow - but is unable to guarantee that every green-lidded receptacle will be emptied.

"From next week, all garden waste collections will be suspended for the foreseeable future," he said.

"There are just not enough people to carry out the garden waste service and the focus must be on other types of collections - food waste, black bins and purple sacks.

"Regrettably, if your garden bin has not been done by the end of Saturday, it will not be done and you will need to make your own arrangements to empty it."

Mr Davies also hints that the introduction of annual garden waste collection charges could be scrapped in light of the suspension.

The plans were voted through by councillors last month and were expected to come into force this summer.

The £45 fee was set to be the highest in Kent - despite the bins already being the most expensive to buy in the UK.

Mr Davies explained: "Our plans to introduce a charge for garden waste collections are also now under review in light of the suspension of the service.

"We apologise for the undoubted inconvenience and issues this suspension will cause.

"It is not a decision we have taken lightly but these are extraordinary and very difficult times and sadly we have had no choice."

Mr Davies stresses that food waste collections will continue, but refused to rule out further changes in the weeks ahead.

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