CHANGES to the way domestic rubbish is collected will save Darlington Borough Council more than £200,000 a year.

The new system of collecting refuse will mean the demise of the dustbin, with waste having to be placed in black liners and taken to the roadside.

The money that is saved will go towards introducing an improved kerbside recycling scheme next year.

The council's current weekly refuse collection system is the most expensive in use throughout the country.

At the moment, about three-quarters of all householders already take their bin bags to the kerbside.

But because the borough has a wide mix of rural and urban dwellings of different house types, a uniform system has never been imposed.

Some residents put out dustbins but, in some cases, binmen have to walk up garden paths to collect them.

From September 2, all residents must put their rubbish in plastic sacks and place them as close as possible to the kerbside by 7.30am on the day of collection.

People living in terrace houses with back lanes can still leave their bags in the lane. Sheltered housing residents will not be affected.

Terry Collins, the council's assistant director of environmental services, said: "It's a new system, so we're asking the public to be patient.

"They need to put their refuse in a strong black bin bag, make sure it's tied properly and take it to the kerbside as near to the collection time as they can."

The council is planning to introduce an improved recycling scheme early next year, which will include waste such as paper, glass and cans collected from the side of the road.

All householders will receive a leaflet outlining the changes. Anyone unable to deposit refuse at the kerbside can call the council on (01325) 388777.