Staff are being recruited to keep Gloucestershire's waste and recycling collections operational.

If you live in Tewkesbury you will already have been made aware the town's council has announced that all 'non-essential waste' collections have ceased.

In the context of the coronavirus epidemic that your garden waste is yours for a while longer might seem like no big deal, but the decision is a symptom of the impact of the virus on staff numbers and of the stress on the service as a whole.

Cheltenham-based business Ubico has had to reassess its priorities in order to keep its refuse and food waste collections from 52,000 households operational. And the impact has been such it needs mechanics (vehicle technicians) to help bolster its teams.

"To help continue our operations it is essential that we have enough staff to help us deliver our services.

"We are recruiting for temporary vehicle technicians in Stroud, South Cerney and Cheltenham to help us should staff have to take a leave of absence," said a statement from the company.

A statement yesterday (March 30) from Tewkesbury Borough Council said: "Unfortunately as part of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic some aspects of the waste collection services delivered by Ubico on behalf of Tewkesbury Borough Council have had to be suspended.

"A number of drivers and collection staff are unable to work due to COVID-19, as they need to self-isolate, which has meant there is a need to ensure that there are enough staff to focus on the statutory waste collections including refuse, food waste, recycling and emptying litter bins.

"This has meant that a decision has been made to suspend the garden waste service for at least the next two weeks."

Jim Mason lead member for Clean and Green Environment, said, "The council and Ubico are endeavouring to deliver as many of our waste services as possible but our staff, who are key workers, are not immune to this terrible virus.

"Reducing the service is always a last resort and Ubico have done a fantastic job in maintaining all services for as long as they have and are doing all they can to ensure the essential waste collection services continue."

To find out more about the vacancies at Ubico call 01285 623070 or email jobs@ubico.co.uk.

For more information on the waste and recycling collection services please visit our website or follow our Tewkesbury Borough Facebook page or @tewkesburyBCgov on Twitter.