Major changes to household waste collections across Waveney will take effect next month when the number of bin lorries working in the district is cut by a fifth.

Under the shake-up, most people will have their bins emptied on a different day of the week from May 12.

But council chiefs stressed this week that the type and frequency of collections would remain unchanged.

Waveney District Council and its refuse service operator Waveney Norse have now begun informing every home – via a bin hanger – about the revised time and day of their collections. In some cases, they will be remain the same.

If there is an alteration made to the collection rotation of the different coloured bins, the affected households will also receive a separate letter advising them of the new arrangement.

The council says the shake-up will save an estimated £200,000.

Stephen Ardley, Waveney's deputy leader, said: 'As our operational partner, Waveney Norse provides a number of important frontline services and a key priority is to ensure that it can continue to deliver these services to the same standard but as efficiently as possible.

'I'm absolutely delighted we have an arrangement in place that maintains standards while easing pressure on the public purse.'

Under the new scheme, Waveney Norse will operate 20pc fewer refuse collection vehicles but no jobs will be lost as workers will move to a four-day week with longer hours. The changes have been agreed after a consultation with staff and agreement with Unison.

To support people as they adapt to their new routine, Waveney Norse will have additional resources available during the first month to deal with any issues that arise.

?Anyone with concerns or queries about the changes, can ring Waveney Norse's customer services helpline on 01502 527100 or email waveney.info@ncsgrp.co.uk and people are also being advised to visit the 'Bin collection day finder' online at www.waveney.gov.uk

?Blue bin waste collected in Waveney will be sent to the new Great Blakenham waste recycling centre near Ipswich under an £8m deal struck between the private company Viridor and the Suffolk Waste Partnership. Under the new contract, mixed recyclables from Waveney, which were previously sorted at Costessey, near Norwich, will be dealt with at the new centre from December.