REFUSE workers will ask for the public's help in blocking moves to extend refuse collection and street sweeping to 9pm.

Thee workers, in Redcar and Cleveland, plan to distribute a petition and leaflets asking for support in preventing the change to their hours, as set out in new contracts.

The documents, which will be circulated in shopping centres by off-duty workers, will outline their objections to Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's plan to carry out refuse collections throughout the borough and street sweeping in Redcar, Saltburn and Eston town centres up to 9pm.

The move comes after a series of consultations between councillors and the workers' unions failed to reach an agreement over the proposed changes.

Last month, the unions announced their intention of balloting members on the possibility of holding a strike.

John McDade, a regional officer for Unison, said that the amended services would benefit nobody.

"We don't believe that the public is in favour of bin wagons trundling round the streets at 9pm," he said.

"We have asked the council to produce evidence of this and it hasn't done so. We will consult the public if it won't."

Mr McDade said that extending their working hours to 9pm is likely to endanger workers.

"We think there's an increased danger to our members from attacks from the public," he said.

"We get street sweepers being attacked during the day - and the council is asking them to work on Friday nights."

Redcar and Cleveland council claims that the changes to hours could result in savings of £203,454.

It argues that their effects would be limited, as only one team would be required to sweep the town centres and one refuse vehicle to collect missed bins.

A council spokesman said: "We are unaware of what the contents of the leaflet and petition will be and therefore cannot make any comment.

"But, as far as we are concerned, the proposals offer an enhanced and improved service and are neither dangerous nor disruptive.