COUNCIL bosses today named the company that will take on the waste collection contract in west Wiltshire.

As exclusively revealed last month in the Wiltshire Times, Cleanaway lost the contract with West Wiltshire District Council just months after strike action by binmen left piles of rotting rubbish lining the streets.

Now, Focsa Services (UK) Ltd will begin a seven-year contract from April 1.

Focsa was one of six commercial operators to submit bids for collecting non-recyclable rubbish and compostable green waste. The contract was awarded on the basis of cost, service delivery and contract management proposals.

The company will take over collections from current operator Cleanaway and will continue to operate the service out of the District Council's Riverway depot in Trowbridge.

Refuse collection staff currently employed by Cleanaway will be given the opportunity to transfer to Focsa.

Cllr Rosemary Brown, the Council's environment portfolio holder, said: "We have a duty to provide the best value service that we can. The tender process generated six extremely good bids, which were considered and scored against our requirements. Based on this scoring system, Focsa offered the best return for our investment across all areas and they have considerable experience of working with local councils."

Focsa's regional manager (South) Stuart Jellings said: "We are very proud and honoured to have been awarded this contract and look forward to a successful partnership with West Wiltshire District Council.

"Our objective is to provide and improve services for the residents of West Wiltshire."