A CHARGE of £5 for collecting bulky waste items such as cookers, furniture and carpets was introduced for Wear Valley residents yesterday.
Wear Valley District Council defended the fee, which was agreed by members earlier this year.
A spokesperson said: "With 25,000 residential collections per year, the council needed to implement a £5 charge for this service. The charge is still one of the lowest charges in the country."
Information leaflets are available from any council office, telephone (01388) 765555.
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