PEOPLE wishing to use a free bulky item collection service are being urged to call the council as early as possible.

Darlington Borough Council has offered the free service for some years, but because of demand it was decided late last year to limit the number of people who could book to have rubbish collected.

Anyone wishing to have bulky items collected is asked to call the council as early as possible on Monday mornings to book a time and date.

Times are given out on a first-come, first-served basis. If all available places are filled, residents will be asked to call the following Monday.

A spokesman said: "Before Christmas we had waiting lists of up to six weeks which was not convenient for either us or our customers. Everyone should have the right to have their rubbish collected so this new system seems the fairest way."

The telephone line, on (01325) 388777, opens at 8am.