Waste bins were left uncollected in the Staffordshire Moorlands and Stoke-on-Trent this week, as two local authorities failed to complete their rounds.

While no explanation was given for the missed collections, it's thought the problem relates to staff absence due to Covid-19 isolation.

Staffordshire Moorlands District Council (SMDC) bungled a second attempt at collecting missed waste, with the wrong information being posted on its website.

A message being on the authority's social media pages said: "Blue lidded bin collections due 03/01 were rescheduled for 05/01. An error on our website shows these were rearranged for 06/01 which is incorrect."

SMDC advised: "As a result we will return for these blue lidded bins on 07/01. Please leave your bin out or represent your bins for collection."

The council added in a later tweet: "Waste collections are currently affected by circumstances out of our control and we'd like to thank residents for your support and patience during these challenging times."

The council told residents to check its bin pages for updates and to report missed collections: www.staffsmoorlands.gov.uk/sm/bins

A spokesperson for SMDC told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "There is currently no significant impact on other council services as a result of Covid-19.

"Staff are currently working from home where possible in line with government guidance so, if they feel well enough, staff self isolating can continue to work."

Meanwhile, Stoke-on-Trent City Council said in a tweet on 5th January they were unable to collect bins in several areas, but promised staff will return to pick up waste as soon as they can.

They advised residents to leave their bins out, ready for collection.

The post said: "Yesterday we were unable to collect some bins in the Meir North, Weston Coyney, Etruria & Hanley, Hanley Park & Shelton, Birches Head & Central Forest Park, Joiners Square, Moorcroft, Penkhull & Stoke areas."

The council advised: "Please leave your bin out and we will collect it as soon as we can."

Stoke-on-Trent City Council was also approached for comment.