ALL Somerset waste collections will be one day later in the fortnight after Christmas, including the two Friday pick-ups being moved to Saturdays, while garden waste collections are suspended.

There will be no change to collections up to and including Friday, December 23, and usual services will be back from Monday, January 9, 2017.

Recycling sites will be on their standard schedules, including all closing on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.

Residents are being urged not to disrupt collections with excess waste, especially cardboard, that forces recycling crews to abandon their work to unload early.

Instead, a little extra card can be added every week, or all 'dry' – non-food – recycling and all rubbish can be dropped off at a recycling site.

Somerset Waste Partnership is warning that icy conditions, high winds and rain, or even snow this year could delay kerbside recycling and rubbish collections or hamper recycling sites.

Efforts will be made to maintain services if judged safe. If a collection is missed, crews will make a return pick-up as soon as possible.

Residents should put out missed containers by 7am for up to four calendar days for recycling, and up to seven calendar days for rubbish.

If there has still been no collection, take containers back in and put them out by 7am on the next usual collection day. People are asked to assist vulnerable neighbours.