A bin out for collection in Preston Pic: Christopher Lucas

Christmas is a time for relaxing, family and scratching your head about exactly when the overflowing bin full of wrapping paper needs to go out.

Preston City Council has released the dates where it won’t be going out to collect bins.

Any households who would usually have bins collected on Monday 26 December, Tuesday 27 December and Monday 2 January are going to be told when their next collection will be.

It means some homes face going an extra week without a black bin collection, and the city council says it will not collect any extra general rubbish put next to wheelie bins.

What happens with recycling collections?

Any recycling collections that are affected over the Christmas period are not being collected. All recycling will be collected on the next scheduled collection. Extra recycling can be placed next to recycling bins in untied carrier bags.

What about brown bin collections?

The last brown bin collections are on Friday (16 December) and they restart on Monday 9 January 2017.

What about Christmas trees?

The city council has announced anyone not signed up to the brown bin collection charge faces a £5 charge for their Christmas tree to be taken away.

How do I check my bin day?

You can do it online via the city council website.