WIRRAL Council would consider a return to weekly bin collections if Government proposals are given the green light.

Ministers are set to offer councils cash incentives if they reinstate the traditional collections.

More than half of local authorities- including Wirral - shifted to fortnightly pick-ups of general household rubbish in recent years as part of an attempt to encourage people to recycle more.

But the changes proved unpopular with householders amid concerns that leaving rubbish for up to a fortnight is unhygienic and attracts vermin.

There are also claims that it has led to a rise in fly-tipping.

Now councils could receive financial rewards if they revert to the old system.

Wirral cabinet member for streetscene and transport services Cllr Harry Smith said the authority will keep its options open.

Councillor Smith said: “I’m sure the council will consider any proposals if and when the Government put them on the table formally.

"But it should be emphasised that at the time Wirral changed over to alternate weekly collections in 2007, it had all-party support in the borough and generally it is working well.

"Our recycling performance is very good and we have a tried and tested system which is exceeding stringent performance targets.”

The budget for the plan is thought to be about £100m, according to the Daily Telegraph.

It will apparently be included in the waste review to be published shortly by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

A Defra spokesman said: "We won't comment on speculation about the final detail of the waste review.

"It is important that the right polices are in place to help communities and businesses reduce waste and maximise recovery of materials through recycling.

"The review will be published shortly."