WASTE chiefs have appealed for understanding when they reschedule bin collections because of Christmas.

Kirklees Council refuse services will operate as normal up to, and including Tuesday, December 23.

Then there will be no grey bin collections on Christmas Eve afternoon, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, or on Thursday 1 January.

Missing one collection will mean the council staff playing catch-up over New Year week.

There will be no green bin collections over the Christmas or New year periods.

Environmental waste and transport manager Roger Wilson appealed for the public to help by recycling as much as they can.

He said: "In effect, what is proposed is that over the two week period from Christmas Eve lunch time all households will miss one collection.

"We get an immense amount of co-operation from householders throughout the year. I would like to thank them for that, and for the help and understanding I am sure we will get over the festive period."

He advised people to avoid over-packaging goods, to use the green wheeled bins for all recyclable waste as well as re-using materials and visiting bottle banks and recycling facilities with excess waste.

The five household waste and recycling centres throughout Kirklees are at Emerald Street, Huddersfield; Bent Ley Road, Meltham; Bromley Farm, Upper Cumberworth; Thornhill Road, Dewsbury; and Nab Lane, Birstall.

They will be open throughout the Christmas and New Year period except for Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day.

Winter opening hours are 8am to 4pm Monday to Saturday and 9am- 4pm Sunday.

However, Meltham opens from 8am to noon on Saturday and 9am to 1pm on Sundays.