BROMSGROVE'S war on waste has been stepped with tests of the latest, multi-purpose refuse collection trucks.

One of the vehicles was put through its paces in Charford and Carlisle Roads last week as part of Bromsgrove District Council's £3million bid to improve its collection service.

The trucks are said to be super-efficient and semi-automated with mechanised lifting arms for picking up bins.

They will also deliver waste or recyclable material to transfer stations and then travel by road or rail to sites where the materials can be recycled or disposed of.

A second vehicle was sent on a test-drive yesterday (Tuesday) and a final decision about which vehicle to buy will be made by members and officers of Bromsgrove District Council.

Director of environmental services David Williams was pleased with the results of the first test claiming the vehicle was excellent and capable of doing everything that was wanted of it.

He added: "We want to be able to give residents the best waste collection and recycling services we can and, because of our successful £2.3 million grant from the DEFRA - the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs - we can afford to be selective.

"We are not prepared to make hasty decisions and will look at the second vehicle closely before making up our minds."

The plan to improve waste collection will include a kerb side collection for green waste and dry recyclables, including paper, glass, textiles, cans and plastics.