SICKNESS and a national shortage of HGV drivers has disrupted refuse collection services in Southampton.

Glass recycling collections in several parts of the city have been affected by staff calling in sick and the city council finding itself unable to hire replacements.

The council tweeted: "We apologise for any inconvenience caused due to a shortage of drivers because of sickness.

"We're contacting our list of approved agency staff providers on a daily basis to try to source HGV drivers to cover the current shortages, which is currently a nationwide issue.

"If you wish to, you can take your glass to one of the many recycling banks that are located around the city."

A later tweet added: "Due to driver sickness and the ongoing national shortage of HGV drivers we've been unable to make glass collections in some roads in Freemantle, Millbrook & Redbridge."

A council spokesman told the Daily Echo: "The recent shortage of waste collection vehicle drivers is not Covid-related and is simply down to general sickness.

"Agencies we use to cover short term staffing issues do not have drivers available on their books at the moment. This is currently a national issue that is also affecting many other Local Authorities.

"We are operating additional weekend shifts to catch up with missed collections, which is currently only affecting the kerbside glass rounds.

"We apologise for any inconvenience caused and would like to thank residents for their patience at this time."