HOUSEHOLDERS across Dorset have been warned of changes to their bin collections over Christmas and the New Year.

The public are being urged to ensure their bins are put out on the correct days to minimise litter.

All three local authorities - Bournemouth, Poole and Dorset - have cancelled collections due to take place on Christmas Day or Boxing Day.

In Bournemouth bins due to be emptied between December 25 and 28 will be collected two days later than usual, with those due for collection on Friday December 29 to be emptied on January 1.

Those due to be collected between January 1 and 5 will be collected one day later than usual.

Across the Dorset County Council area the disruption will continue until January 13. December 25-28's collections will be two days late and the December 29 collection four days late.

Collections due on January 1-4 will be two days late, those on January 5 three days late and those between January 8 and 12 one day late.

Poole council has urged residents to check their collection dates by putting their postcodes into a checking system on their website.

A spokesman for Bournemouth council added: "If you have extra recycling this Christmas, put it out on your next recycling collection day in a cardboard box or use our clear recycling bags, which are available from Bournemouth libraries.

"Christmas trees can be taken to Millhams Community Recycling Centre or Wilverley Road, Christchurch. If you live in the BH3, BH4, BH6, BH7 or BH8 areas, you could have your tree collected by local charity Diverse Abilities, who are collecting Christmas trees for a £5 minimum donation." Book your collection on their website diverseabilities.org.uk/trees