A council has announced plans to charge for the removal of waste from holiday cottages.

Richmondshire District Council said that, at present, many owners of holiday lets are getting their rubbish removed for free.

It proposes that holiday cottages are charged for waste removal at the same rate as businesses.

It would mean a typical holiday cottage producing a single sack a week would pay £1.21 for its removal.

The potential annual income from the move is an estimated £15,000 to £24,000, depending on how often the cottages are used.

There are currently 393 holiday cottages in the district registered for national non-domestic rates (NNDR).

Sean Little, the council's head of waste , said: "These premises may not be paying, unlike other residents or our commercial customers, for waste collection.

"Some of these premises, approximately 50, do in fact have a commercial waste contract and it is this inconsistency which this report seeks to address."

It is thought there are many holiday cottages not registered for NNDR, which will initially escape the charges.

Councillors will be asked to approve the policy this week. Any charges could be introduced from April 1.