CHRISTMAS and New Year can be a lot of fun but it can also be diffucult for a number of groups.

With huge amounts of wrapping paper, packaging, empty beer bottles and turkey carcasses its not the mixing of drinks that gives waste disposal chiefs a headache but the sheer mountain of rubbish which needs to be dealt with at a time when staff enjoy three bank holidays.

Test Valley Borough Council's Environmental Services spokesman, Tom Evison said: "We're not Scrooges. We want people to celebrate but we would like people to think before they bin.

"With the Test Valley twin bin scheme, all clean paper and card products can be recycled. The cola and lemonade bottles, together with plastic detergent bottles, can go in the brown-lidded bin, along with empty and rinsed food tins and drink cans.

"As for empty wine, spirit and bubbly bottles, these can be taken to your local glass recycling bank - and while you're at it, don't forget to take the empty pickle jars, sauce bottles, soft drink bottles and baby food jars!

"While you are busy preparing and ultimately celebrating, the council's contract services will endeavour to empty all the recycling banks before, during and after the festive period. But, if you do find that your local recycling site is beginning to overflow, please let us know with a quick phone call, and don't dump your materials around the recycling banks. Either take them to another site or come back another day."

If you find a recycling site which is overflowing call 01794 527700.