Residents are being asked to watch their waste over the festive period in a bid to protect the environment.

Colchester Council is encouraging people to recycle and reuse as much as possible this Christmas, with national figures showing we waste 30 per cent more between the big day and New Year.

Residents are also being reminded to check their rubbish collection days over the festive period as there will be no collections on Christmas Day or Boxing Day.

Collections which would normally fall on Christmas Day will be on Christmas eve, whilst Wednesday to Friday's collections will be one day later than usual.

In the week commencing January 1, all collections will be one day later than usual.

Martin Goss, councillor responsible for waste, environment and transportation, said: "Due to the days the Christmas and New Year bank holidays fall on this year, our recycling and rubbish collections dates are changing during 22 December to 5 January.

"We’re therefore encouraging residents to check their recycling calendar early so they know when their collections are in this period.

“We would also encourage everyone to be mindful of the environment this Christmas and think about the items they purchase, whether they’re really needed and, if so, if they can be recycled or reused.”

Normal service resumes on Tuesday, January 8.

Visit www.colchester.gov.uk/recycling.