GRASS cuttings, leaves and weeds weighing more than a blue whale have been collected in Basingstoke in the past six months.

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council has announced that since February 4, its paid-for green garden waste collection service has bagged more than 200 tons of green waste, which is turned into compost.

To date 6,000 borough residents have signed up to the collection service.

Councillor Robert Donnell, the council’s environment chief, said: “The amount collected already is a brilliant start to the garden season, and I hope more residents will continue to sign up to the scheme throughout the summer and take advantage of the lower cost for the remaining months.”

Signing up to the garden waste for the remainder of the year costs £14.32. The cost is reduced each month.

People receive a 20kg green sack which is collected every two weeks until the last collection of the year on December 16.

People can request extra green sacks, at a cost of £5.11. For more information visit basing stoke.gov.uk/go/gardenwaste.