Stroud District Council's garden waste scheme has proved so popular that it has reached capacity in some parts of the district.

Over 10,000 subscriptions have been signed up to under the scheme, which collects garden waste from people's homes fortnightly for 10 months of the year, from February to the end of November. The scheme has reached capacity in 24 towns and parishes in the district, including Berkeley, Cam, Hardwicke and Stonehouse.

Residents who join the scheme receive a brown 180 litre bin as part of their first year's subscription charge, and then renew their subscription annually. Any new customers in the areas where the scheme is at full capacity will be able to join a waiting list.

Cllr Simon Pickering, chair of the council's Environment Committee, said: "It's fantastic news that the scheme has proved so popular.

"However we are now a self-financing council and ensure all services, for which we charge, can cover their cost. We have to examine every budget very carefully. It's simply not cost-effective to pay for extra vehicles and crew unless the numbers of subscribers cover the cost."

Cllr Pickering has an alternative suggestion for dealing with garden waste for anyone who is currently unable to join the scheme: "Keen gardeners can compost much of their garden waste, and their gardens will then benefit from the mulch they create.

"Getting rid of all the nutrients in the form of green waste that one has carefully grown doesn't really make sense in these more ecologically and financially aware times. By using natural ecosystems, all the nutrients are recycled."

Residents can buy discounted compost bins for £8.49, plus delivery. Details, as well as tips on how to create a DIY compost bin are available at www.stroud.gov.uk/compost .