REFUSE workers in Burnley have been praised by the borough’s MP after he spent the day on a bin round.

Gordon Birtwistle’s shift took him around Cog Lane and Accrington Road, as he answered a challenge set by Unison chief Dave Prentis.

And he was not only impressed by his colleagues’ ability to navigate the narrow back-streets of south-west Burnley but the fact no piece of litter was left uncollected en-route.

Mr Birtwistle said: “I was amazed that the driver was able to get the wagon down some of those back streets.

“All of the staff were very conscientious and a credit to Veolia. There wasn’t a single thing that they failed to pick up.”

Unison’s Mr Prentis had challenged MPs aged over 65 to take on a bin round as part of a protest over retirement age requirements.

Part of the reason Mr Birtwistle was keen to complete his seven-hour plus stint, which saw his team empty more than 900 wheelie bins, was that fellow MPs had made pledges for prostate cancer research.

Around £1,000 has been raised for the cause, including a £250 donation from Veolia. Mr Birtwistle will ask Unison if the organsations is prepared to match his charity total, from union funds.

His constituents also raised a couple of concerns after he hit the streets and the MP said he managed to sort out a rubbish problem with a resident in Brush Street, with the borough council’s streetscene team.