Warwick District Council officers are urging residents to take their rubbish home with them as overflowing public bins are overwhelming the council's refuse collection team.

Figures show that more than £1.5m is spent by the authority each year on keeping the streets and public places clean but cost-cutting has seen a reduction in services.

The removal of council-operated recycling banks, as well as the removal of barrow operatives in Kenilworth and the rest of Warwick district have been widely criticised by residents.

In an email circulated to councillors, head of neighbourhood services Julie Lewis explained that it was a national problem.

She said: "During the pandemic we have seen a lot more people out and about getting their daily exercise. The unfortunate result of this has been a large increase in the litter left behind. This is a nationwide issue as is the increase in fly-tipping.

"Regardless of the number of bins and how frequently they are emptied, people still drop litter and bins fill instantly. The emptying of bins is expensive and we do not have unlimited resources.

"Some cuts were made in the new street cleansing contract such as removal of barrowmen and one less crew for fly-tipping removal as we had to reduce the contract costs due to our financial situation. But ultimately it is about people behaving responsibly.

"Current issues exist with litter being left on/by many WDC bins that are already full – again a national issue. All our campaigns ask people to take their rubbish home. Quite often it is because bins have been filled with household waste or fly-tipping first."

Her email went on to explain that one area of concern was Christ Church Gardens at the top of The Parade in Leamington, which had seen an increase in footfall due to the temporary bus stops.

She added: "Idverde are working with contract services to review efficiencies in locations/frequencies of visits to empty litter bins. Additional bin installations and visits will cost money not built into the contract costs.

"A litter strategy is being written with Stratford District Council with the emphasis on prevention. This includes a communications plan and things such as tackling fly-tipping and overflowing bins/litter."

The proposed waste plan with Stratford District Council also received criticism across social media when it was announced at the end of 2020. The plan could see a three-week cycle introduced for household waste and recycling in South Warwickshire.