EPPING Forest District Council has suspended all rubbish and recycling services after some of its refuse staff were badly injured during attempted collections today.

The authority said its crews were involved in a number of accidents, with further details expected later today.

In the meantime, the council has said it will be giving back-up support and help to Essex County Council, which holds the responsibility for gritting in the district.

A spokeswoman said: "We are monitoring the situation carefully and will recommence waste and refuse collections as soon as it is safe to do so.

"We will then prioritise collections so that those properties that have been waiting the longest for a collection are dealt with first.

"The decision to suspend normal collection arrangements has not been taken lightly and the Council apologises for the continued disruption.

"However, despite the best efforts of the waste crews to provide collection services, conditions are such that a number of accidents have taken place which have caused significant injuries to waste operatives."

Cllr Mary Sartin, the authority's portfolio holder for the environment, said: “I would like to express my thanks and concern for the waste collection crews.

"They have done everything possible to keep collections going but conditions have become too dangerous.

"Refuse and recycling collections will recommence as soon as it is safe. In the meantime I would like to thank residents for their continuing patience and support.”