A new fleet of 33 refuse lorries has started collection rubbish in the neighbourhood in which they are built.

Warwick and Stratford District Councils have secured the RCV's from Heathcote-based firm Dennis Eagle to help with the new three-weekly waste collections that started this month.

The vehicles are being put to work by Biffa for the joint 123+ waste and recycling collections serving 126,000 houses in south Warwickshire.

The councils have said they hope the new system will help increase recycling across the region.

WDC's portfolio holder for neighbourhood and leisure Cllr Moira-Ann Grainger commented: "In order to improve our recycling rates and reduce the amount of waste going to landfill, we've set a high bar for our new 123+ service in terms of reliability and efficiency.

"It was therefore important for us to select vehicles that could fulfil our objectives, particularly as we are covering a much wider area and a number of households than previously.

"We are therefore delighted to have contracted local Warwick based company Dennis Eagle in whom we are confident will meet this brief."

Twenty-three of the RCVs have 6x2 rear-steer wide chassis with Olympus 21m3 bodies.

The other ten have a 6x2 rear-steer narrow chassis with an Olympus 19m3 bodies – the smaller footprint of these vehicles making them even more manoeuvrable and helping them operate more efficiently in tighter streets.

Dennis Eagle's general sales manager Ben Hoadley said: "This is a landmark for us. These vehicles were built right here in Warwick. It's totally fitting that they should be the vehicles providing collection services on their home territory.

"Of course, that's not why they were chosen. They were simply the best vehicles to help Stratford and Warwick District Councils achieve their ambitious recycling targets and providing the best possible service for their customers.

"And they all feature the Elite+ cab which was introduced earlier this year. It will go a long way to ensuring the safety of anyone near the vehicles. And it will also mean the drivers and crews are well-looked while helping them do their jobs quickly and efficiently."