NORMAL bin collections have now resumed after the winter snow and blizzards which disrupted them after Christmas.

The bad weather had put the skids under rubbish collections in Blackburn and Darwen over the holidays and angry residents in parts of the borough said dustbin men failed to empty wheelie bins on usual collection days, leaving litter and rubbish to be blown about.

Blackburn with Darwen Council said snow and ice prevented dustbin men doing their rounds.

A Blackburn with Darwen Council spokesman said: "Where refuse was due to be collected on Christmas Day and New Year's Day, an extra service was provided with bin men working on the previous Saturday to ensure all bins were emptied so long as householders had put them out in the usual way.

"These extra services were advertised in the council's newspaper, the Shuttle, which was issued to every household in the borough in December and also on leaflets and stickers issued by bin men to affected households the week before Christmas."

Households where the collection was due to take place on Boxing Day did miss one week's collection but extra bags were collected on Tuesday Jan2.

Today a council spokesman said: "Bin collections have been getting back to normal this week, although there will be pockets where this has not happened. If this is so, people just have to phone and let us know and we will sort it out."

The number to call if your bin has not been emptied is 01254 585921.