Bin collections across Bexley borough will change over Christmas and New Year.

Residents will be able to use a calendar on the council’s website to check the revised collection dates.

Collections between December 25 and December 29 will take place two days later, meaning waste scheduled to be picked up on December 25 will be collected on December 27, for instance.

This is to accommodate for no collections on December 25 and 26.

Collection dates scheduled for January 1-7 will be moved one day later to accommodate no collections on January 1.

The authority said normal collection arrangements will resume on January 8. Residents are asked to place their waste and recycling out for collection at the front edge of their properties before 6am.

Garden waste collection services will also be suspended between December 25 and January 8.

The garden waste collection service can also be used to dispose of real Christmas trees.

Trees should be cut in half and placed next to garden waste bins read to be collected, with all decorations removed beforehand.

Recycling centres in the borough at Thames Road in Crayford and Maidstone Road in Foots Cray will be open from 7.30am to 4pm.

They will be closed on December 25, 26 and January 1, with the Maidstone Road site being closed on Wednesdays.

Christmas lights are advised to be either donated to charity shops or brought to one of the two recycling centres with batteries removed.

Most cards and envelopes can also be recycled, with decorations such as bows and glitter being removed beforehand.

Paper-based wrapping papers can also be recycled if tape and ribbons have been removed. Foil and glitter decorated paper should be put in the general waste bin.

Bexley Council has advised residents not to overbuy food over the holiday period and to use up all leftovers.

Unavoidable food waste can be placed in the food waste recycling box to be transformed into green energy and fertiliser.

The authority said: “Over shopping, cooking more food than is required and not making good use of leftover food means food waste at Christmas is a huge issue. In the UK we waste 5million Christmas puddings, 2m turkeys, and 74m mince pies each year.

"This year, instead of throwing away your leftovers, freeze them. You may be surprised just how many Christmas foods can be frozen such as cooked turkey, ham and your Christmas pud. Freezing your Christmas leftovers will save food and money, as well as allowing you to enjoy your Christmas treats for months to come.”

Bin collection dates over the festive period can be checked on the council website.