Residents across parts of Bolton have had to put their bins out for a second day running after dozens of streets were missed from collection.
A total of 78 streets - mostly in the Westhoughton area - saw at least one of their bins skipped during the waste collection round on Monday.
Most of those streets saw collections missed for green bins, which are for garden and food waste.
READ MORE: Urgent appeal to find missing girl, 13, who 'may have travelled to Manchester'
But eight streets saw missed collections for both the beige bins - for paper and card recycling - and the burgundy bins for glass, tins and plastic bottles.
And some residents on Wigan Road saw collections for all three of the bins missed yesterday.
Bolton Council says the problem was caused by 'Covid-related staffing issues' and the bins are due to be collected today (Tuesday) or on Wednesday instead.
Some Westhoughton residents whose green bins were skipped told the Manchester Evening News that missed collections aren't usually too much of a problem, but this week's incident was the second in the space of a fortnight.
They also said the missed green bin collection would have been a bigger problem later on in the year, rather than in winter.
David Keiller, 46, said: "If it was the middle of summer it would be [a problem]. We've not started on the hedges or the grass yet.
"They missed the red bin a fortnight ago and that was a bigger problem, for plastics and cans, They're the only two times I can remember it happening though."
Michael Sainsbury, 59, added: "They've missed the odd one before, but it's not regular. I think last time one of the vans had broken down.
"I only put my green bin out because I've been picking up stuff from the tree [in the garden] and putting it in. I didn't really need to put it out, but thought I'd keep it empty.
"For us, it's not a problem at the moment, but if it was the middle of summer then it might be."
A spokesperson for Bolton Council said: “Although we continue to successfully deploy the vast majority of our collection teams, we are still unfortunately experiencing some Covid-related staffing issues.
“We will continue to do our upmost to maintain expected service levels whilst we navigate through this difficult period.
"Our teams will attempt to catch up this work within 48 hours.
“We would like to thank residents for their continued understanding, support and apologise for any inconvenience caused.”
