BIN days in parts of County Durham will change as a council looks to 'streamline' its refuse and recycling service.

Durham County Council will start new collection days and weeks at around 55,000 properties in the Sedgefield, Teesdale and Wear Valley areas from Monday, October 9.

The council said new collection routes will ensure the service is efficient, value for money and covers new housing developments.

As collection times may vary, bins must be left out by 7am on the relevant days. The assisted collection scheme will continue and garden waste days are unaffected.

Oliver Sherratt, the council's head of direct services, said: "Previous changes to routes in other parts of the county have worked well and residents have adapted to their new arrangements with ease."

Councillor Brian Stephens, cabinet member for neighbourhoods and local partnerships, said the authority appreciates the move could cause some inconvenience in the short term and urged residents to read letters and calendars they will receive in the coming days.

Residents can use their house number and postcode to find and donate bin collection calendars online at the 'My Durham' section of durham.gov.uk

The website can also be used for information about recycling, replacement bins or to report a missed collection or book to have bulky waste picked up and for details of waste recycling centres, also available on 03000-261000.