POLITICAL groups have crossed swords in a fierce row over the collection of "green waste" in the borough.

Labour leaders accused the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives of 'dangerous and irresponsible politics' as they joined forces to extend the collection - presently restricted to West Wirral and Moreton - across the peninsula.

During a heated council meeting on Monday night, the two opposition parties forced through the controversial measure in the face of Labour claims of profligacy.

Council leader Cllr Steve Foulkes raged: "This is dangerous and irresponsible policies of the worst kind. Do anything, say anything, cost any-thing, just to get a line in a leaflet, which can accuse Labour of being anti-recycling."

He accused the Tories and Liberal Democrats of voting through a motion to extend the collections without any attempt to establish the cost or the impact of council tax.

The expanded service offers residents special fibre-glass bags to store garden waste to keep it separate from normal household refuse. Liberal Democrat leader Stuart Kelly said: "People in South Wirral and Wallasey want access to this service and it would be a failure of political systems not to ensure they get that access.

"We're disappointed that Labour is not as enthusiastic as we are about green waste - it's a very popular way to recycle."

Cllr Foulkes hit back: "We have already planned to invest nearly two million pounds in services arising from a major new recycling facility, which will open early in 2006."