A BANNER has been raised in the city giving praise to refuge collectors working amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Mike Sneath commissioned a banner to adorn the outside of his home in Barbourne, with the slogan: “We wheelie appreciate you.”

Mr Sneath said: "A friend of mine who is a binman down in Cornwall said it’s great NHS workers are getting recognised but what about other workers risking their health to do their jobs?

“So I got the banner printed to raise awareness and to bring a smile to people when they pass.

“Feedback so far has been good and I’ve had nothing but positive responses from members of the public.”

Mr Sneath’s neighbour, Phil Cooper, said: “I moved to Worcester just over a year ago from Cannock Chase and I can honestly say the binmen in Worcester are great.

“I’ve never known binmen like it.

“I can never remember what day is collection day but they’ll come round to the rear of where I live and pick up the bin from under the car port.

“Normally, a bin isn’t collected unless it’s on the kerb.

“The guys who turn up have got a crate of beer coming their way very soon.”

Worcester city councillor Joy Squires, who is chair of the environmental committee, said: “ It’s lovely to see such a great tribute to our hardworking team of binmen as well as street sweepers, who keep our city centre and parks beautifully clean.”

Fellow Worcester city councillor Richard Udall added: “Mike is right and a lot of attention does go towards NHS and so it should.

“But during the pandemic, binmen, bus drivers, and other workers across the board in this city have gone above and beyond.”

The government has advised that anyone who is self-isolating with Covid-19 symptoms should ensure that all personal waste, such as tissues, is double-bagged and kept separate from other waste for 72 hours, before being placed in the black bin.

READ MORE: A carpet of flowers left at spot where much-loved city barber Marlon Vella died

READ MORE: Local pickers needed to cope with fresh produce demand and tighter border controls