DUDLEY Council says it has cut the prices for kerbside collections of mattresses, bed bases, carpets and underlay in the borough by nearly 70 per cent.

Council bosses are working with Textek Ltd on a six-month trial basis to manage the scheme which means the cost of collection for a mattress has gone down from £37.44 to £12 per mattress.

The new service also includes collection of bed bases, carpets and underlay for the same cost and the company says it aims to recycle as many of the items it collects as possible.

Councillor Karen Shakespeare, Dudley's cabinet member for environmental, highways and street services, said: "This is fantastic news for borough residents.

"It makes the service much more affordable for people, it stops the items going into landfill, which boosts our recycling rate and won’t cost the authority anything to operate.

"I look forward to seeing it in operation and urge people who need it to take advantage of the fantastic offer."

Council chiefs say the scheme operates at no extra cost to the authority and if it proves successful it will go ahead for a further two years.

A full list of prices for collection of other items such as three-piece suites, fridges and freezers is available on the council's website https://www.dudley.gov.uk/residents/bins-and-recycling/special-collections-bulky-items/.

To arrange mattress or carpet collections call 01948 840251.

For other waste enquiries call Dudley Council Plus on 0300 555 2345.