Waste collections across Somerset will start from 6am next week as temperatures are expected to climb.

Somerset Council said the earlier starts will begin on Tuesday, 26 May, to help crews avoid the worst of the heat and reduce the risk of disruption to recycling, rubbish and garden waste collections.

Residents are being asked to put their bins, boxes and recycling out the night before collection day.

The council said waste collection is hard, physical work and earlier rounds help limit the time crews spend working during the hottest part of the day.

Councillor Federica Smith-Roberts, the council's lead member for communities, environment and climate change, said: "After such a cool weather we've had in recent weeks, temperatures are expected to rise sharply.

"It's forecast to be very hot next week, so our crews need to start earlier to avoid the worst of the heat."

Somerset's waste and recycling crews carry out more than 350,000 collections each week.

The council has not said how long the earlier start time will remain in place.

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Residents should continue to present waste and recycling as normal, but are urged not to wait until the morning to put items out.

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