PILES of plastic waste left outside a school thanks to a misunderstanding over recycling collection will be cleared by Colchester Council.

Myland Primary School has its plastic and paper recycling collected by the council on a Friday, but had been without the service for the past four weeks.

The school is part of the council's Eco Schools Project, which provides free recycling collection.

When Jo Farthing, the school's business manager, contacted the council, she was told the lack of action was down to the school being considered a commercial property.

A Colchester Council spokesman said the information provided was incorrect and apologised for the misunderstanding.

“We have collected plastic for recycling from Myland Primary School for many years, as part of our Eco Schools Project, and have a dedicated member of staff available for the school to contact whenever issues arise," he said.

“We are uncertain who provided the school with incorrect information, and apologise for any misunderstanding that has arisen, as the school was due its normal plastic collection this week.”