NEXT MONDAY SEES NORMAL SERVICE RESUMED AFTER MONTH-LONG SUSPENSION

ATHERSTONE'S army of keen gardeners have received long-overdue "good news" as the battle to nullify the impact of coronavirus continues.

Green bin collections – suspended for 28 days last month – are DEFINITELY back on from next week.

North Warwickshire Borough Council has signalled normal service will be resumed from Monday, May 4.

In a statement, the council asked householders to place only one bin out with "no side waste" on the usual collection day and "leave them out until collected as we may be running slower than normal".

Nub News revealed the local authority was forced to cancel collections in Atherstone and across the borough to allow its reduced workforce to focus on "essential" waste services in the battle against coronavirus.

It blamed "many key staff" being unable to work through having to self-isolate and changing to working practices for the "difficult" decision.

Two collections have been lost in that time with the depleted refuse team concentrating on household rubbish and increasing amounts of recycling which are an inevitable consequence of the 'stay-at-home' Government restrictions during the Covid-19 outbreak.

The Atherstone-based local authority was one of more than 100 to take the action, twin council leader David Wright explained last month.

Households in the town and surrounding villages have shown their appreciation for the work of refuse operatives during the coronavirus crisis with 'thanks' messages on a "wall of gratitude" covering the Waste Services' offices.