BIN men in Worcester have seen the back of work-related injuries thanks to a new rubbish collection system.

Worcester City Council's community services policy and review committee revealed there had been no industrial injuries to refuse collectors since the new system was introduced in October.

Residents are now given black bags by the council and have to leave their rubbish on the pavement outside their house for collection.

Before the new rules were introduced, bin men had to go into private gardens or driveways to collect bin bags.

Around one collector a week would be hurt - mainly with back injuries as a result of carrying heavy weights or catching bins on overhead lines.

"I think from this point of view the new scheme has been successful. We couldn't let things go on the way they were," said Mike Harrison, head of operational services at Worcester City Council.

"We are aware not everyone is happy about the new arrangements, but they had to be changed."

Councillors reported many residents were still unhappy with the new system.

Many objected to bringing their own rubbish out, and some complained pavements on narrow roads were becoming blocked by mounds of rubbish bags.

There have also been complaints about bags being stacked in large piles by refuse collectors, which are unstable and can topple over.

One man had already complained to the council after being knocked over by a mound of bags.

"If we are going to improve the service to all the people in the city, and there is this amount of people unhappy about it, it is very important to listen to them," said Councillor Susan Askin.