UNWANTED brown bins are being collected ahead of Christmas.

Households with unwanted or unused brown wheelie bins have been given the chance to have them taken off their hands.

The bins are used to collect garden waste.

But Burnley Council has organised a round-up of unwanted brown bins which will take place on Monday, December 18.

Council bosses said residents should request their bin to be collected by visiting www.burnley.gov.uk/gardenwasteand following the instructions.

They should leave their bin out where they usually leave their recycling containers, on collection day from 6.30am.

Requests for a brown bin collection must be submitted by 5pm on Friday, December 15.

Burnley council's streetscene services manager Sean Spencer said: “We’re aware that some households no longer need their brown wheelie bin for collecting garden waste.

“If you no longer need your brown wheelie bin then let us know and we will come and take it off your hands.”

The council now runs a subscription-only garden waste service.

This service has now come to a temporary halt as usual over the winter period but will re-start again on February 26 next year.

People can also book a collection by emailing streetscene@burnley.gov.uk or phoning 01282 425011 and selecting option two (streetscene).

For more information on brown wheelie bin collections in the area, people can visit Burnley council's website http://www.burnley.gov.uk/news/unwanted-brown-bins-be-collected