A councillor joined the borough’s rubbish collectors for a morning shift.

Headstone North independent councillor Georgia Weston joined crews yesterday for their morning route collecting rubbish around North Harrow.

The campaigning councillor started her round at 6am and helped load waste from more than 1,200 bins into the lorry.

She said: “It’s all very cosy sitting in the warm council chamber of the Civic Centre but unless us councillors get out there and experience first-hand the various jobs that keep Harrow running, how can we honestly say that we understand properly how our services operate?

“It's a tough job. I'm glad is wasn't raining. I'm amazed I lasted the day.

“It was brilliant and I am really glad I have done it. Since I became a councillor in May I have learnt so much about different departments and how the council works.

“It is hard, but there are things the people of Harrow can do to make bin men’s job a bit easier. Simple things like thinking about you’re parking on collection day, or making sure your bins are accessible at the front of your home.

"The rounds are going to get longer so they will be taking on more work.”

Councillor Weston says she wants to see the work of other council departments and organisations in the voluntary sector which also provide services for the borough.