Conwy Council has defended its decision to move to monthly rubbish collections, amid claims a local trial led to increased fly-tipping and unsanitary streets.

The authority in north Wales claims that a year-long trial with the new system ‘showed that putting recycling at the heart of the service has really paid off, with residents recycling more than ever since their refuse collection went to four-weekly’.

But the move has been criticised by some residents, who say that rubbish has been left to rot for too long – creating unhygienic conditions, attracting rodents and forcing some families to burn waste.