NEWPORT council has clarified that new bags being introduced in the city for cardboard collections will have weather protection as they announce Christmas recycling dates.

A spokeswoman for the authority said the bags being introduced are made of a polypropylene material similar to bags in some large furniture stores, and will have a lid for weather protection.

Residents in the first phase of the scheme will have received letters informing them of the changes – they will receive the bags early next year.

In the mean time cardboard can still be placed in the orange-lidded garden waste bins over the festive period.

Refuse and recycling collections for Christmas Day will be moved to December 27 while collections for Boxing Day will move to December 28.

Collections due for December 27 will be held on December 29, while those due on January 1, January 2 and January 3 will take place the day after.

Collections due to take place on December 24 and December 31 are unchanged.