BINMEN with the GMB union have suspended industrial action after talks held this morning.

Employees at waste contractor Cleanaway have been operating a work to rule policy, which has led to mountains of rubbish piling up on the streets of west Wiltshire. Maggots, flies and vermin have been reported as a result.

West Wiltshire District Council released a statement within the last hour saying the work to rule policy will be suspended tomorrow morning, with binmen working overtime to clear up the backlog.

Environmental portfolio holder at the district council, Rosemary Brown, said: "We are hopeful that any outstanding collections should be completed by the end of this week, and we are requesting Cleanaway to take all the additional rubbish.

"We understand that both sides of the dispute have agreed on a review taking place throughout August to look at rounds, use of agency staff etc. The outcome of that review, which is being overseen by ACAS, should be known in early September.

"The last two weeks have been very difficult for everyone, and we can only apologise to residents who have been affected by this action."

Binmen staged a one-day strike on July 26, followed by the work to rule policy, in a dispute over working conditions.