BINS across the city centre have not been emptied today due to a shortage of drivers.

Southampton City Council has said that most of the roads in the Southampton central area have been affected as they were unable to carry out a recycling bin collection round.

The council has said this is due to a national shortage of drivers and confirmed a new driver would be starting in the next following weeks.

They added that they will try to make the collection tomorrow, or "as soon as possible afterwards".

A spokesperson from Southampton City Council said: "Today’s missed bulk recycling collection has affected most of the roads in the city centre area.

"It is linked to a national shortage of available drivers; with weekend reporting also showing a number of other European countries affected, and not just us in the UK.

"We will endeavour to make the collection tomorrow, or as soon as possible afterwards.

"As part of our plan to overcome ongoing driver shortages; a new driver has been recruited and will start in the next few weeks.

"We are also in the process of upskilling four of our existing Loaders, which will help to ease the pressure on the service.

"We would like to take this opportunity to apologise once again and thank residents for their ongoing patience."