HOUSEHOLDERS are being invited to sign up to a new council-led garden waste collection service.

The subscription-only service, run by West Oxfordshire District Council, launches this April and costs £30 per bin for a year of fortnightly collections.

For many years, garden waste collections have been free in West Oxfordshire, but, due to the loss of external funding, a small charge is now being made.

Councillor Carol Reynolds, Cabinet Member for Environment, said: "Garden waste collections are popular and householders confirmed in a survey last year that it is a service they greatly value.

"Without this service, disposing of waste would result in the inconvenience of regular ‘tip visits’ for many people.

"We believe that £30 a year represents good value for money and residents can be assured that all their garden waste will continue to be composted and put to good use."

Unlike other waste, councils are not legally obliged to make garden waste collections as it is not a statutory service.

"Householders with smaller gardens may want to share a bin with a neighbour, this is fine, and some are already doing this through the free service," said Cllr Reynolds.

"Another alternative way of dealing with garden waste is by home composting; for those interested there are details of discounted composters on the council website."

From April, garden waste collections will be undertaken by Ubico, the Council’s new waste contractor.

Ubico will take over all of the Council’s other waste collection services in October 2017.

To sign up for garden waste collections, visit westoxon.gov.uk/garden or call 01993 861025.

To guarantee a new Garden Waste Licence in time for the start of the new service, householders should sign up by Friday, March 3.