MALVERN residents will have to take their excess rubbish to tips in Worcester, Ledbury or Upton-on-Severn while their local depot is closed for refurbishment.

The Newlands plant will be shut for about five months from Sunday, January 12.

But Worcestershire County Council has made alternative arrangements for residents.

Upton-upon-Severn's Hanley Road waste site will be open from 8am until 6pm, seven days a week, from Monday, January 13, until the refurbishment is complete.

Alternative facilities are also available at Hallow Road, Worcester, which is open from 8am to 4pm, Monday to Friday and 8am to 12.30pm on Saturday.

Also, Little Marcle Road site in Ledbury, is open 8am to 6pm, on Wednesday and Saturday, and 9.30am to 1pm on Sunday.

In addition, the county council has agreed to assist Malvern Hills District Council by giving a contribution of £20,000 towards free bulky waste collection, for items such as furniture, and parish skips, for household items and garden waste.

These services are restricted to those residents in and around Malvern.

For information about where and when the parish skips will be available, residents should consult their parish notice boards, or Malvern Hills District Council's website at www.malvernhills.gov.uk

Residents requiring bulky waste collections for the period can contact the district council on 01684 862470.