BLAENAU Gwent and Torfaen councils invited companies to bid for a contract to dispose of their rubbish.

The two authorities have been working together since 2004, but this summer Blaenau Gwent's Silent Valley landfill site in Cwm was forced to close because toxins were found leaking from waste into ground water.

This meant trucks carrying rubbish from the county were forced to make an 85-mile round trip to a tip in Swansea, with the process costing the council £310,000.

A report due to go before Blaenau Gwent's executive committee on January 4 says Blaenau Gwent is currently tied into a contract with Silent Valley Waste Services for its residual waste until March 2012, while Torfaen is committed to a deal with Viridor Waste Management until March 2013.

However, both councils are now looking to secure an "interim contract" after these two dates for the disposal of its residual waste, while a long-term plan for the two authorities is developed.

The report says a shortlist of six bidders will be chosen in January, with the preferred bidder selected in March.

The successful firm will begin a three-year contract with Blaenau Gwent in 2012 and a two year contract with Torfaen in 2013, so both contracts expire at the same time and a long term strategy for the two authorities can start simultaneously.

Procurement for the project will cost £71,137, which will be split equally between the two authorities.

The report to Blaenau Gwent's executive committee recommends allowing the council's corporate management team to make decisions on the shortlist of six bidders and the preferred bidder.

It added updates will be given to the council throughout the procurement process.