The changes, it says, will make it as easy as possible for people to use their kerbside waste collection service and recycle more at a time of year when families produce a greater amount of waste than normal.

Collection crews will be out and about in the district over the seasonal Bank Holidays and residents will have their waste collected as usual unless their collection is due on Boxing Day - these residents will have their collections brought forward to Christmas Eve.

Most of the extra waste generated by families at this time of year can be recycled using the kerbside service, so extra resources are being made available to deal with the expected increase. In order to focus attention on collecting wrapping paper, present packaging, glass and tins, foil and all household plastics (apart from thin film), the Council has suspending garden greens collections until the week beginning 9 January.

Deputy leader of Selby District Council, Cllr Gillian Ivey, said, "We're determined to make it as easy as possible for you to recycle as much as possible.

"We've also arranged for the crews to have extra capacity to be able to pick up more recycling than normal to make sure we can pick-up everything you leave out.

"Lots of Christmas waste, including wrapping paper, cards, packaging, plastics, glass, cans and foil can be recycled. We estimate that you can use your recycling service to get rid of almost three-quarters of your household waste, which is a significant amount at this time of year."

Residents are also reminded that the lid of their grey household waste bin should be closed flat. Extra waste left out with your grey bin will not be collected. Heavy, bulky or hazardous items should be taken to the nearest Household Waste Recycle Centre.