Following an announcement earlier this year, a free bulky waste collection service is set to begin in Reading in June.

The new policy from the council means that residents will be able to book collection of bulky waste collections for free on the council website or over the phone once the service is up and running.

Examples of bulky waste include home and garden furniture, cookers and TVs, and a full list of items that qualify can be found on the council website.

But because this is a council service, it is funded -at least in part- by you, the tax payer.

Now it has been found that the service will cost the council £249,000.

MORE DETAILS HERE: What is Reading's new free bulky waste collection service and what can you throw away with it?

The amount is contained within the council’s budget and medium term financial strategy (MTFS) 2022/23 – 2024/25.

The £249,000 figure appears for the 2022/23 financial year, with the service being uncosted for the 2023/24 and 2024/25 financial years.

Details of how the service will operate were given at a meeting of Reading Borough Council’s policy committee on Monday, April 4.

The free waste collections are likely to be limited to one free collection per six months of three items or one fridge/freezer.

The council will continue to run a paid for bulky waste collection service for people who need to get rid of additional items.

More details will be given prior to the launch of the service.