THE dispute over refuse collection in Redcar and Cleveland is over after the council and trade unions reached an agreement over cleansing arrangements.

The row over proposed changes by Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council to refuse collectors' working hours led to two one-day strikes and overtime bans.

Extra time was agreed before Christmas to allow both sides to reach a settlement after Redcar MP Mo Mowlam intervened and drew up a list of proposals to avert further strike action.

Meetings were held between the council and trade unions - the Transport and General Workers' Union and Unison - plus the arbitration service Acas. The settlement was agreed before the deadline day of January 19.

The new deal, which comes into operation on April 1, will involve new 11.30am to 7.30pm shifts for crews cleaning town centres and will allow for the collection of missed bins and other work after normal working hours on request.

Members of the two unions agreed to the revised proposals at a meeting on Monday night.

David Walsh, leader of Redcar and Cleveland council, said: "We are pleased to have reached agreement with our cleansing workforce, who have always provided an excellent service.

"We believe these modifications will allow us to deliver an even better service.