A COUNCIL has promised it will try to clear up a 2,500-job backlog in its junk collection service by the end of this month.

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council currently deals with 400 junk jobs a week, clearing bulky items such as old prams, pushchairs, and old kitchens which have been removed.

But the free service, launched in the 1990s, has been unable to keep pace with the demand which reaches more than 500 calls a week.

The council says its fleet of 14 refuse collection vehicles will be working exclusively on the clear-up operation over the next three Saturdays.

Cabinet member for environmental improvement, Councillor Barbara Harpham, said: "Because the service is free and we pick up whatever is put out to take away, this has created a huge demand.

"There are just too many calls upon it. In just one week in January, we had 1,000 calls.

"Some people are taking advantage of the service but some of the stuff should actually be taken away by builders.

"In future, we are going to have to look at what we are picking up and how many per year are allowed per household. Most councils do not offer this service for free. We are in a minority."

Coun Harpham said the council will be encouraging residents to recycle more or use the two civic amenity tips at Warrenby and, from April 1, Carlin Howe in Guisborough.

"Another alternative from next month is an express service which, for a fee of £10, will ensure items are collected within five days if people do not want to wait for the continuing free service," she said.

The planned programme for collections is:

* Saturday: Redcar, Dormanstown, New Marske, Marske, Saltburn;

* Saturday, March 20: Eston, South Bank, Teesville, Normanby, Spencerbeck, Ormesby, Nunthorpe;

* Saturday, March 27: Guisborough, Loftus, Easington, Cowbar, Liverton Mines, Carlin How, Skinningrove, Brotton, Skelton, Boosbeck, Lingdale.

Householders are being urged to ensure the waste is secure and available for collection to avoid disappointment. For more information, contact the Junk Job service at Warrenby depot on (01642) 759060.