DUDLEY'S Household Waste Recycling Centre in Stourbridge will be open for the rest of the festive period for those wanting to start 2020 off clutter free.

Apart from today (Boxing Day) and New Year’s Day - the Birmingham Street site will be open as usual throughout the festive holiday period.

Councillor Karen Shakespeare, Dudley's cabinet member for environmental, highways and street services, said: "We want everyone to reduce, reuse and recycle for Dudley borough. We know Christmas can generate extra recycling and that is why we are keeping the site open as much as possible throughout the holiday period."

She said residents can also take advantage of the council’s kerbside collection service, with mattresses, bed bases, carpets and underlay collections being offered at a discounted rate and she added: "Our fantastic mattress collection offer is perfect for anyone who may be considering a New Year clear out.

"The service is much more affordable for people now and doesn’t cost the authority anything to operate. It also boosts our recycling rate, as it stops the items going into landfill."

Dudley Council bosses are working with Textek Ltd to manage the new collection scheme, which means people can have an old mattress collected for £12.

The new service also extends to the collection of bed bases, carpets and underlay for the same cost.

It ties in with the Dudley Deal, an informal agreement between the council and anyone who lives, works or runs a business in the borough.

One of the pledges under #dudleydeal is to deliver a comprehensive recycling service and weekly waste collections for residents in the borough.

Textek will recycle as many of the items it collects as possible, boosting the borough’s recycling rates.

The new scheme is currently running as part of six-month trial, with the option for a further two years if successful. It will be operated at no extra cost to the council.

People wanting to arrange mattress or carpet collection can call 01948 840251 for all other Dudley borough waste enquiries people are asked to call Dudley Council Plus on 0300 555 2345.