Bin crews find dozens of hazardous gas canisters

Refuse workers in a town where a gas cannister exploded in a waste lorry have found dozens more of the potentially hazardous receptacles left in bins.

More than 24 nitrous oxide and helium bottles were left in communal or wheelie bins in recent weeks, according to Slough Borough Council.

It repeated its warning that canisters could explode when crushed in bin lorries, causing damage and putting operatives at risk.

In May, the Berkshire council released a video of an exploding canister narrowly missing two refuse workers.

The men - Tom and Ray - later described the experience to BBC Radio Berkshire.

Ray said: "There was a loud bang. The canister came up out of the top of the truck. We didn't know where it was going to land.

"Tom crouched down on the floor and it landed about three, four foot (about 1m) away from him. It went up a good 60 or 70 foot (20m) in the air."

Tom said: "All I heard was Ray shout because my back was turned. Then I ducked. My kids could be without a dad right now."

Gas bottles should be taken to a recycling centre

The council said in recent incidents, 12 metal nitrous oxide canisters were found in a communal bin, six were found in one household bin, a helium canister was found in another one and five nitrous oxide canisters were found in a grey wheelie bin.

On Tuesday, more nitrous oxide canisters were found in a separate communal bin.

Matthew Hooper, the council’s director of environment and highways, said: "Following the incident in May... it’s disappointing to see people are still putting them in their bin.

“These canisters, whether it be for a gas barbecue, or for blowing up balloons, are not normal household waste.

“We need residents to be responsible with how they dispose of them and not put our team’s lives at risk.”

The council said residents should take canisters to its waste and recycling centre.