A WASTE collection service in the city has been suspended in part due to residents climbing into skips.

Worcester City Council used to leave skips in certain parts of the city every Saturday so people could get rid of their rubbish.

However, the council has now halted the service due to health and safety concerns.

City councillor Ceri Stalker, who represents Warndon, said: “I think it’s bad that the skips have been suspended as they are well used, but if there are safety concerns then that is paramount.”

Cllr Stalker said waste is often left in the Warndon Youth and Community Centre car park, where a skip is set up once a month.

The councillor has now raised concerns about a fridge freezer that has been dumped in the car park.

She added: “Children have been known to climb into these and get trapped, some have even died as a result of this.”

A Worcester City Council spokesman said: “The Saturday skip service has been suspended so that we can review the way it is provided to make sure it is delivered in the right way and that it is safe and easy to use.

“There are concerns about potential health and safety risks for residents and council officers, including bulky items being manually handled into skips and residents going into skips to stack waste items.

“As part of the review we will look at how the service works alongside recycling and waste collections and the city’s local household recycling centres. While the review takes place we are reducing charges for bulky waste collections by over 50 per cent.

“Large items can also be disposed of at the household recycling centres in Bilford Road and Hallow Road. We aim to reinstate a service as soon as practically possible.”

Worcester City Council used to offer skips in Shap Drive, the New Inn car park, Liverpool Road, Waverley Street, the King George V community hub car park, Dines Green community centre and Weir Lane.

To get old fridges, mattresses, carpets and other items collected go on https://www.worcester.gov.uk/bulky-household-waste