CALL centre staff are bracing themselves for a flood of queries as Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council launches major changes to its refuse and recycling services.

The service switched to a four-day week on Tuesday and is delivering green waste wheeled bins to 48,000 homes with gardens.

To help customers understand and to make the transition as smooth as possible, a brochure explaining the changes to the collection service has been delivered to every home in the borough.

Staff at the council's call centre have been briefed on the changes and extra staff will be on hand to answer questions.

Coun Bob Stanway, cabinet member for environmental improvement, said: "We've certainly got some very interesting times ahead - the start of probably the biggest changes to services the council has made for a number of years.

"We're looking for the co-operation of the public and hope that they'll contact us with any issues, but also show some understanding as we get through the inevitable teething problems.

"We're delighted that our workforce has shown terrific interest in what we're trying to do, backing our plans all the way. They're our ambassadors."

The council's director of area management, Simon Dale, said: "We're gearing up for a higher than usual number of inquiries and calls and we've got the staff in place, plus back-up support, to deal with that.

"We're also going to be in a position to take requests for visits to individual properties.

"It's going to be all hands to the pumps - no distinction between a refuse and recycling collector and me."

Question time

MIDDLESBROUGH South and East Cleveland MP, Dr Ashok Kumar, will be quizzed by pupils at Nunthorpe Primary School today.

The question and answer session will relate to his work and life as an MP and is aimed at helping the school's year six group compile a biography.

Dr Kumar said: "I have been told I will be getting questions on both current issues and what my job as an MP entails, as well as questions on my own personal motivation to enter politics."