RECYCLING collections in the city have restarted as the council continues to work hard to ensure all missed bins have been emptied by the end of Friday.

Eleven crews were out in force across the city on Thursday (April 2) collecting the last of the household waste with Worcester City Council announcing it has again started collecting recycling waste after putting green bin collections on hold.

The city council said green recycling bins should be left outside until they are collected with the aim of emptying all outstanding green bins by Friday, April 10.

From next week, green bins should be put out on the usual collection day. Black general waste bins should also be put on their normal collection day.

Bins will also be collected on Good Friday (April 10) so bins should be put out as normal.

The council also said it would collect a "reasonable" amount of excess waste that won't fit in bins, but it must be placed in sealed bags.

Councillor Joy Squires, chairman of the city council's environment committee, said: “I’d like to thank Worcester residents for their patience at this incredibly challenging time.

"Government guidelines require everyone, including members of our waste collection team, to self-isolate in specific circumstances.

"We have redeployed staff from other areas and have partnered with other authorities to provide reinforcements. I would like to thank staff for rising to the challenge – and everyone else working hard to provide front line services so that we can stay at home and save lives."

If a black bin has not been collected by Friday, April 4, the council has asked to be notified by visiting worcester.gov.uk/report-it.

Hands should be washed before and after taking bins out and social distancing of two metres or more should be observed when interacting with waste crews.

If you or a member of your household are self-isolating with coronavirus symptoms or suspected of having contracted the virus it is important that all personal waste, such as tissues, is double-bagged and kept separate from other waste for 72 hours, before being placed in the black bin.

For more information on council services during the coronavirus visit worcester.gov.uk/coronavirus.