RESIDENTS across Leeds are being urged not to burn garden waste.

Leeds City Council has noticed an increase in garden bonfires since the COVID-19 lockdown began.

Councillor Barry Anderson (Con, Adel & Wharfedale) recently sought clarification from the council on the rules governing garden fires. He was told: “There has been an increase in domestic bonfires as residents seek ways to manage their garden waste whilst the brown bin collection service is suspended.

“We would ask instead that this waste is composted or used otherwise in the garden rather than being burned and creating problems with smoke. In these challenging times its feels ever more important to understand the impact of our actions on others and we will continue to intervene where such problems exist.”

Nuisance fires can be reported at https://www.leeds.gov.uk/residents/environmental-health/air-quality-pollution-and-odour.