SUCCESSFUL recycling rates across the county have allowed the local authority to introduce fortnightly refuse collections in the Abergavenny area.

The weekly black bin bag collection changes from its current weekly collection to fortnightly between June 13 and 23.

Areas affected by the change are those living in Abergavenny and its adjoining villages of Llanfoist, Gilwern, Govilon, Llanelly Hill, Clydach and Pandy.

This change will mean that over 90 percent of the county will now be on a fortnightly refuse collection rota.

However residents need not worry as all collections of the red and purple recycling bags, the food and garden waste will continue to take place weekly.

Rachel Jowitt, Monmouthshire County Council's Waste Strategy and Resources Manager said: "All of us are recycling more and we congratulate residents who have helped us to beat our recycling target. 

"This means that we are sending less waste to go to landfill and we only need to collect non-recyclable rubbish on a fortnightly basis.

"The money we save on collecting waste can be diverted to our recycling collections, which increase as people recycle more."

The council will be hosting a number of roadshows around the area to allow people to ask questions and find out more about recycling. 

The roadshows are being held on Monday, June 20 between 9am and noon in the layby opposite Ysgurborwen and between 1pm and 4pm in Rother Avenue.

On Tuesday, June 21 and Friday, June 24 the roadshow can be found at the Red Square in Abergavenny's High Street between 9am and 4pm.

On Monday, June 27, the roadshow will be located at Derwen Deg, Govilon between 9am and noon and later between 1pm and 4pm at the Village Hall in Main Road, Gilwern.

On Tuesday, June 28 the roadshow will be sited at adjacent to Old Llanfoist Inn at Llanfoist between 9am and noon and later between 1pm and 4pm at Jolly Colliers at Llanelly Hill.

The roadshow's final day in this region is at the entrance to Mardy Playing Fields on Wednesday, June 29 between 9am and noon and between 1pm and 4pm at Pandy Village Hall.

• For those who need a special nappy and personal hygiene weekly collection this can be requested by contacting the council as the authority are aware that people do not want this type of waste kept for two weeks.