Extra bin crews have been working over the weekends to catch up with collections after major disruption saw stinking piles of rubbish building up in the streets. 

There have been a string of complaints about bins being missed, largely across the south of Bucks throughout June, resulting in rats and maggots and a disgusting stench in the air. 

The problems were so bad, residents branded their bin sheds a "health hazard" and Buckinghamshire Council apologised profusely.

Cllr Gareth Williams said retirement homes, schools, and collections “behind homes” had been “particular” problem areas, and that people had become “irate” - adding that the service had been "unacceptable".  

In a bid to solve the issues, it was announced towards the end of June that up to 10 extra bin lorries would be made available to catch up on collections that had been missed. 

In a recent update to residents, Cllr Martin Tett - who earlier said they may consider breaking their contract with waste collection providers Veolia if the problems weren't resolved - said the service had "significantly improved". 

He said: "I want again to thank residents in the former district areas of Wycombe, Chiltern and South Bucks for their patience and understanding during the recent disruption to their bin collection service.

"I know that while the vast majority of homes have had bins collected as normal, a significant number have experienced missed collections, some for an extended period.

"I want to apologise again for this – it simply hasn’t been good enough and is the result of a major route reorganisation that also threw up extra challenges for our contractor Veolia.

"We have had additional crews out working through recent weekends to help catch up with collections.

"I’m pleased to report that the service has significantly improved following the measures we’ve put in place to tackle the problems; however, we are not complacent and know there is still more to do. Every missed bin is still a big problem to those households.

"We will keep working on this to achieve the highest possible standard of service for all residents in the area and I’m pleased that the work undertaken is getting us closer to this now.

"As ever, please report your missed bin online if we do fail to collect and we will pick it up as soon as possible."