Refuse collectors began the arduous task of clearing a backlog of rubbish in Harrow this morning - after heavy snow prevented 80,000 bin collections this week.

Residents whose normal collection day for blue (dry recycling ) or green bins (residual waste) was Monday and Tuesday have been advised to place their bin ready for collection today or tomorrow.

Brown bins (organic waste), however, will go uncollected until Monday next week.

Councillor Susan Hall, responsible for environment services at Harrow Council, said: "There are still some side roads which are difficult to access but the crews are doing their best to clear the backlog.

"We will pick up double the quantity of organic waste next Monday. Everyone appreciates how difficult the conditions have been so we're just asking residents to bear with us."