A NEW Powys County Council charge for collecting garden waste has started in Powys.

The council's recycling and waste team has this week started to collect garden waste directly from households.

A council spokesman said that there has been "significant interest", with householders signing up every day.

Those who have already subscribed to the service will have their garden waste collected from the kerbside once a fortnight until the end of November.

For a £35 annual fee, the council will provide a 240-litre wheeled bin and will collect garden waste once a fortnight within 10 working days of ordering.

A 120-litre bin is available for £30 for those households with small gardens.

Councillor Phyl Davies, Cabinet Member for recycling and waste, said: “I’m delighted that our new garden waste collection service has started. I would like to thank those who have already subscribed and I hope they can see the benefits of having their garden waste collected from their doorstep.

“Our collection service will mean that households don’t have to get their cars dirty by filling it up with grass cuttings. The charge is likely to be less than what most residents would spend on fuel to take their garden waste to a collection point.”

For more information, visit www.powys.gov.uk/gardenwaste or call 01597 827465.