Garden waste and cardboard collections are returning to their usual fortnightly cycle in Coalville later this month.

From the week starting Monday, 28 September, residents should revert to using their normal collection calendar that was in use pre-coronavirus.

The postcode finder option on North West Leiceststershire District Council's (NWLDC) website can be used to check collection dates.

The council is thanking residents for their patience in recent months as the reduced collections allowed waste staff in the 'at risk' category to shelter from coronavirus.

Social distancing guidelines meant NWLDC also had to reduce the size of the crew on each vehicle from four to three, reducing the efficiency of collections at a time when more household waste was being produced than ever before.

By reviewing the rounds and returning more staff to work the council is now able to complete the normal collections while maintaining the reduced crew sizes.

The efforts of residents to sort and separate recycling in their homes continues to allow the district to follow best recycling practice.

Separating recycling means NWLDC can sell it for around £500,000 per year – money that is reinvested back into services.

This is different from many other councils, including those in Leicestershire, who do not benefit from this income as they collect recycling mixed together in one wheelie bin.

Councillor Richard Blunt, Leader of NWLDC, said: "We would like to thank residents in North West Leicestershire for their patience and understanding that reducing collections was the right thing to do for our waste teams and their families.

"We're delighted that we're now able to bring our fortnightly collections back - with social distancing measures still in place - to provide the full service that we know residents need and value.

"Our crews have worked tirelessly through lockdown with smaller teams, observing lots of new guidelines and collecting more waste than ever before due to so many of us being at home.

"The public's understanding and support has been crucial to this effort and allowed our teams to stay safe - thank you."