Residents across Tendring have experienced a disruption in their household waste collection services due to the weather. Although Tendring District Council's contractors, Veolia, have continued to pick up from as many homes as possible they faced restrictions in where they could dispose of the waste and empty their vehicles.

The landfill sites at Bellhouse near Colchester and an alternative at Ipswich were both closed this morning (Wednesday) due to high winds. The waste had to remain on the vehicles until staff got clearance to empty them at Haverhill in Suffolk.

Nigel Brown, Tendring District Council's Communications Manager, said that due to the distance the contractors had to travel - a round trip of two and a half hours - there would be delays in waste being collected from some properties today.

"Every effort will be made to catch up but it is highly likely that some homes that normally have their waste collected on a Wednesday will miss out," he said. "However, vehicles will start to pick up tomorrow where they left off today and it is hoped that the service will be fully back to normal by Friday."

Mr Brown asked residents to be patient and bear with the contractors who were doing their best in difficult circumstances which are beyond their control. "If waste is not removed on the scheduled day please could people take it in and put it out early the next morning to save it blowing round the streets," he added. "Residents' assistance in this matter is greatly appreciated."