RESIDENTS can dispose of any of their bulky domestic rubbish free of charge on Saturday, with staff and vehicles on hand at four locations throughout the morning.

On Saturday the vehicles will be on Ripon Street and Mulberry Street, between 9am and 10am, while later on residents can dispose of their rubbish with staff available at Whitendale Crescent and Cromwell Street between 10.45am and 11.45am.

The free collection service will run across Blackburn with Darwen into early January, with more locations to be announced.

Coun Jim Smith, executive member for environment at Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: “I am really pleased that we are able to offer this scheme once again, showing our commitment to keeping our community tidy.

“Those that dump waste illegally are in the minority, and we will continue to prosecute, name and shame those who are found to be blighting our community by fly-tipping on our borough's streets.

“Examples of the types of rubbish that can be disposed of are carpets, broken furniture and general bagged rubbish, but items such as plasterboard and asbestos roofing will not be accepted.”