Householders affected by refuse worker strikes in North Norfolk have been asked to take their green bins back in if they are not collected.

North Norfolk District Council (NNDC) has issued advice due to the week-long industrial action being taken by Serco employees over pay.

In guidance that applies until after the strike on Monday March 20, the council says any green recycling bins not collected should be taken back in and put out again on the next collection date in two weeks’ time. 

Anyone who has more recycling than will fit in the bin because of this can put it by the bin in transparent sacks.

Householders whose recycling bins are still due to be collected this week should leave them out as usual. 

MORE: Norfolk bin workers could strike if talks over pay are unsuccessful

Grey refuse bins and brown bins for garden waste subscribers should be left out as normal, and if they are not collected on their normal day, crews will return for them as soon as possible. 

The council said crews doing trade waste collections would aim to complete their work “as soon as possible”.

Serco workers have been picketing in Aylsham near the contractors’ depot there, holding up placards with messages such as: ‘Fair pay for taking your rubbish away’ and ‘It’s time to stop paying us rubbish’.

Councillor Tim Adams, NNDC leader, said 21 vehicles from Serco went out on collections on Monday, and 100pc of garden waste was collected, as was 85pc of general waste.

In Breckland, the bin collection crews are collecting black recycling bins this week and residents are being asked to put their bins out as normal.

The council said the "vast majority" were being collected as scheduled, but is advising people to leave their bins out so the crews can return to collect them as soon as possible if there are delays.