Residents can now apply to have their garden waste collected in 2019.

Across the next couple of months, Durham County Council will be contacting eligible households with information about the different ways they can sign up.

Those who subscribe to the scheme by Thursday 14 February will receive all 17 collections between April and November for an annual fee of £35.

For residents who subscribe after 14 February, collections will start as soon as possible, after the April start date and they will receive the remaining collections for the rest of the year.

Those who signed up in 2018 for a three year period do not need to sign up again.

A bin sticker and calendar detailing collection dates will be posted to residents who have subscribed.

Cllr Brian Stephens, Cabinet member for neighbourhoods and local partnerships, said: “More than 63,500 County Durham residents subscribed to the garden waste scheme in 2018. We’re pleased to announce the start of subscriptions for 2019 and I’d urge people to sign up before the 14 February, to ensure they receive the full year of collections.”

Residents who would like to recycle garden waste during the winter, before collections begin next year, can do so at household waste recycling centres or by composting it at home.

For more information on garden waste collections in County Durham and how to join the scheme visit www.durham.gov.uk/gardenwaste or call 03000 26 0000.

Garden waste collections in Teesdale are provided by Rotters Composting. Residents should contact Rotters at www.rotters.org or by calling 01833 690 022.