THOUSANDS of residents have now subscribed to Cotswold District Council's paid-for garden and food waste collection service, but there is still time to sign up.

The seventh year of the service starts on Tuesday, April 1 which costs £30 per licence to use the green garden waste wheeled bins.

Those signing up will have all their garden waste collected weekly, and they will also be able to empty their unwanted food waste into the green bin.

Claire Locke, Cotswold District Council’s Head of Environmental Services, said: "We are very pleased that almost 50 per cent of the households in the Cotswolds have decided to subscribe to this service again.

"This bodes well for the future as we strive to remain one of the top recycling authorities in the country.

"It would be a real bonus if even more people could sign up to help us save precious resources, combat climate change and reduce the amount of landfill taxes.”

For a cheaper alternative, a resident could agree to share their bin with a neighbour should only one of them wish to contribute to the cost of the licence.

And for those who cannot accommodate a green wheeled bin at their property, 50 compostable brown paper garden waste sacks can also be purchased for £30 at the Moreton Area Centre.