GARDENERS are being reminded that Sandwell’s green waste collection service is to take a break during the winter.

The collection of the green bins will continue throughout November, before breaking from December 4 until February 25.

This means the last collections will be made during the weeks of November 20 or 27, depending on the fortnightly schedule for the area.

Councillor David Hosell, cabinet member for highways and environment, said: “We have had another successful year in collecting garden waste from people but we are now coming up to the annual winter break.

“The remaining collections still gives time for people to do the last mow of the lawn for the year or to collect up the autumn leaves so that they can be responsibly composted for the good of the environment.”

Residents can view the date of their last collection by entering their postcode on the bin day calendar at www.sandwell.gov.uk/binday.

Any garden waste collected during the winter break, including any real Christmas trees, can be put in the green bin for collection in spring or recycled at the tip at Shidas Lane in Oldbury.