Recycling collections suspended in 'extreme heat'

The decision affects households in Colchester due to have dry recycling collected on Tuesday

A city council has suspended recycling collections because of safety concerns about "ongoing extreme heat".

Colchester City Council made the decision with temperatures expected to hit 31C (88F) on Tuesday.

Dry recycling, such as paper, plastic, cans and glass, will instead be picked up during the next scheduled collection.

Lib Dem councillor Martin Goss, who has a responsibility for neighbourhood services and waste, said: "The safety of our staff is extremely important to us and we trust you will understand why these decisions have been taken."

In a statement on its website, the authority said it was "in response to the ongoing extreme heat and an amber weather warning issued by the Met Office".

Collections of non-recyclable, garden, food and business waste will not be affected.

"The council aims to resume scheduled recycling collections from Wednesday, subject to a forecasted drop in temperatures," a spokesman added.