Somerset Waste Partnership - which collects waste and recycling across Mendip including Frome, via its collection contractor, SUEZ, is offering a £1,000 welcome bonus for professional LGV drivers joining its workforce as full-time permanent staff.

The new incentive reflects tough competition in Somerset, where the national Large Goods Vehicle (LGV) driver shortage is more acute due to many distribution hubs in and near the county.

Staff shortages and the impact of Covid, including the isolation "pingdemic", have disrupted Somerset's waste services in recent months. The one-off £1,000 bonus from SUEZ is conditional on successfully passing a probationary period with associated performance standards.

Meantime recycling waste that was not collected in Frome yesterday (Monday 9) will not now be picked up until next week.

The company has posted that it will return on Monday 16 August for collections missed in Beckington, Berkley, Buckland Dinham, Chapmanslade, Corsley, Dilton Marsh, East Woodlands, Frome, Oldford, Rodden, Selwood, Spring Gardens and Standerwick.