Green-fingered citizens are being reminded it is still not too late to sign up for Birmingham’s garden waste recycling service – and earn a £2 discount in the process. Anyone who subscribes online for the 2016 season will have to pay just £33 for the service, which offers 20 fortnightly collections between February and November, rather than the £35 for anyone booking via the council contact centre.

The service for 2016 has been enhanced as subscribers can now also dispose of uncooked vegetables, spoilt fruit and tea bags in addition to the grass cuttings, leaves and other waste that has previously been accepted.

Fortnightly collections are made on the same day as household waste collections, in the alternate week to when recycling is picked up.

The garden waste service begins on the week commencing February 22, with the final fortnightly cycle coming to an end on November 27.