CHRISTMAS rubbish collections times have been ann-ounced for people living in the Wyre Forest area.

People whose refuse and recycling collections fall on Christmas Day, Boxing Day or New Year's Day are being notified of changes to their service.

There will be no collections on any of these days so alternative arrangements have been made by Wyre Forest District Council.

People who would normally have a collection on Monday, December 25, will have their refuse collected on Friday, December 22, and their recycling on Saturday, December 30.

Meanwhile, residents who would normally have a collection on Tuesday, December 26, will have their refuse collected on Saturday, December 23, and their recycling on Tues-day, January 2, 2007.

People who would normally expect a collection on Mon-day, January 1, will have their refuse collected on Saturday, December 30, and their recycling on Monday, January 8.

All other collections will take place on the usual days. However, the council is starting its collection rounds early between December 22 and January 5 and is asking residents to ensure boxes and bins are left at the kerbside by 6am.

Normal refuse and recycling collections days will resume on Tuesday, January 2.

Wyre Forest District Council's cabinet member for commercial services Council-lor Marcus Hart said: "This last year has been a terrific one for recycling, we are almost meeting our target of recycling 28 per cent of all refuse. This is thanks to all the residents and we would like to continue the good work over the festive period.

"Over Christmas there are some changes to the refuse and recycling service, but we would urge residents to hold onto their recycling and it will be collected. Any extra glass, plastic and cans which don't fit into the green box can be put in the black box as well. Remember to recycle Christ-mas cards and also Christmas trees can be recycled at the tip. To help with the extra refuse we will also be collecting up to two bags of waste at the side of the bin from each household during the Christ-mas period - between December 22 and January 5."

Details of the Christmas Refuse and Recycling Coll-ections can be found on the Council's website www.wyre forestdc.gov.uk Alternatively, people can call the customer service line on 01562 732928.