BURNLEY Council is relaxing its stringent rules on collecting extra waste over the Christmas and New Year period - but has warned it is only a temporary measure.

Normally the council does not collect any rubbish left outside a wheelie bin.

However, until January 8, the council will collect extra bags of rubbish that will not fit in wheelie bins.

After that the council will return to its pro-recycling policy of not collecting any waste left outside wheelie bins and the threat of fines for persistent offenders.

Council bosses have relaxed the rules because more rubbish is generated during the festive period.

In addition, residents are being reminded there will be no waste collection on New Year's Day and that collections for the rest of the first week in January will be a day behind the usual day.

From Monday, January 8, council bosses are promising a return to normal service.

The council is asking people to check the leaflet and calendar recently distributed to every home in the borough to make sure they know when their collection day is.

The relaxation of the rules will be welcomed by residents who have been left angered at the council's policies. Earlier this month the council came under fire for sending "intimidating" letters to vulnerable Burnley residents which threaten £1,000 fines for recycling errors.

They included a 78-year-old chair-bound multiple sclerosis sufferer who had put an orange juice carton in his cardboard refuse sack.

Coun Charles Bullas, the council's executive member for the environment, said: "We're relaxing the rules at this time of the year as a gesture of goodwill and because we recognise that many people have a lot more to throw away.

"I'd just remind everyone that things like wrapping paper, cardboard, plastic bottles, and cans can all be recycled.

"We're expecting a bumper recycling collection over the festive fortnight in the aftermath of all the Christmas and New Year celebrations."

To check on collections call Burnley Council's Streetscene staff on 01282 425011.