Council bosses hope to provide weekly food waste collection services to at least 22,000 extra properties across Norwich, South Norfolk and Broadland.

Local authorities have until today to submit their ideas for communities secretary Eric Pickles' �250m fund, which aims to develop better ways of collecting rubbish. Norwich, South Norfolk and Broadland councils have expressed an interest in giving more residents a chance to get rid of their food waste on a weekly basis.

Officials at Norwich City Council say 55,000 households already receive the service but their aims include extending it to areas without it. This largely includes residents in flats who use communal bins.

South Norfolk District Council says it is 'seriously considering' introducing the collections for 17,000 properties across the district. Keith Kiddie, cabinet member for public protection and development control, said: 'Collecting food waste is the logical next step and we are about to put in a bid for government funding of up to �650,000 to help us deliver this.'

Broadland District Council already provides weekly food waste collection in 10 areas, including Thorpe St Andrew and Hellesdon.

The authority is seeking up to �85,000 from the government to extend the service to an estimated 5,000 houses. Norwich fringe parishes and a market town, such as Acle or Aylsham, are expected to benefit.

The government cash will last for three years, which has raised questions about how councils will continue funding the service beyond this period.

But John Fisher, Broadland's portfolio holder for environmental excellence, insisted bids have to show how councils will fund the service for at least another two years.

Under the food waste collection system, residents are each given a small container, known as a caddy, to collect waste in the kitchen. This is then transferred to a larger container kept outside, which is collected by the council.

What do you think about weekly bin collections? Email eveningnewsletters@archant.co.uk