WEEKLY bin collections will be reinstated in all areas of Blackburn and Darwen if the Conservative party takes control of the council.

Tory leader Colin Rigby said his team would end the controversial fortnightly bin collection scheme, which is being tested in three areas of the borough.

But Coun Rigby was accused by council leader Sir Bill Taylor of risking lives of children for the sake of short-term political gain.

According to Coun Rigby, the scheme is unpopular and unhygienic. He said: "We want to go back to weekly collections because we don't think it makes common sense. It's not hygienic and I think most people who have their bins picked up once every two weeks would agree."

Around 12,000 homes in three areas were forced to take part in Blackburn with Darwen's new refuse collection scheme last year. Households must separate recyclable rubbish, collected one week in the intervening week between fortnightly collections.

People have complained that the grey wheelie bins used for non-recyclable waste are not big enough to take two weeks' worth of rubbish.

Some residents have said the system is unworkable and having rotting rubbish in a wheelie bin for two weeks can cause health problems. People in the Oakdale estate, between Blackburn and Darwen, were among those who complained. Coun Rigby said his party would not scrap recycling collections, which have recently been extended to all the borough.

The pledge was in the Conservatives' manifesto for council elections, but blasted by the council leader, who said: "Blackburn Labour Party is completely supportive of any attempts to improve the environment. Can you trust a party that is prepared to risk the future of our children and grandchildren for a cynical short-term political gain?"