GARDENERS who took advantage of the mild winter to get a head start with their chores can look forward to having their green waste removed with the restart of the wheelibin collections.

Collections are being rolled out throughout April with residents having their bins emptied on the same day as their recycling boxes, as they were before the scheme was suspended in December.

Householders should refer to their refuse and recycling calendars to establish the date for their individual collection day.

Anna Wardell, the council's Waste Policy and Promotions Manager, said: "The service was suspended because not many people were using it during the winter months and the tonnages collected in previous years were incredibly low.

"Now that it is returning we urge everyone to take advantage of it and to use it properly for grass cuttings, twigs and small branches, weeds, cut flowers and chippings.

"The green wheeled bins should not be mistaken for composting bins. If you want to compost items including vegetable peelings, tea bags and cardboard, you will need to use a home compost bin for this purpose; you cannot put these in your green bin."

Following the Advertiser/Messenger's story last November when we revealed plans to suspend collections from the 40,000 or so households in the district over the winter the council received 70 letters and a number of phone calls.

However, not all were from people complaining, many offered suggestions and constructive criticism.

Anna said: "We have listened to our residents and taken all the comments on board and will use them when we review our service plans for the future."

Residents can take advantage of an offer to purchase a discounted home compost bin for their own garden.

Bins start from £8 and can be delivered free by ringing 0845 077 0757 and quoting reference HCA1.