A DEAL has been agreed to meet Blackburn with Darwen's street sweeping needs - with a new contractor now in place.

An existing five-year contract with Acumen is due to expire on July 31, councillors have heard.

Martin Eden, the borough's operations director, told councillors two bids were received for the contract, which will run until 2027.

And after consideration of both submissions, taking into account price and quality, said Mr Eden, Suez Recycling scored highest, against the rival bid by Acumen.

Mr Eden added: "Street sweepings tonnages varies annually, both due to weather and the level/frequency of street cleansing provided.

"But an approximate annual contract cost is £60,000 which is within existing budget provision. The price per tonne through this new contract is within

existing budgets and considerably less than the cost of sending the waste to disposal."

More environmentally-friendly approaches are now taken to street sweeping, councillors were told.

"Specialist facilities for the treatment of this waste stream, such as street sweeping waste, have only evolved in the last few years.

"Prior to that, it was sent to landfill and not recycled," said Mr Eden.