A PROBE into merging bin collections has been defended by a councillor who led a review into Worcestershire's refuse - who has insisted "nobody is suggesting" it should be privatised.

Councillor Ken Pollock, a Tory who was part of a panel who examined the possibility of a deal over rubbish collections, said it was worth exploring because of the potential savings to taxpayers.

As your Worcester News revealed last week, Worcestershire County Council is considering doing a massive "audit" of the refuse pick-ups to see what the implications would be for having one massive collection and disposal service which could also include neighbouring Herefordshire.

A hunt has started to see if money can be found from the Government, or another outside body, to fund the audit, which could focus on any possible savings from a merger.

The idea has come under fire from the Labour group, which says it could lead to unwanted privatisation of a key public service.

Cllr Pollock said:"Nobody has suggested it should be a private contractor doing this as opposed to all the councils working together.

"When you've seen how Somerset has been able to save £1.7 million a year, you can see how it'd be a useful to get a small amount of money so we can look at this."

Meanwhile politicians in Malvern, which still offers residents a weekly general rubbish collection service, say if any deal is agreed it must take that town's situation into account.

The Conservatives in Malvern have made retaining weekly rubbish pick-ups a key election manifesto pledge.

Elsewhere in Worcestershire general rubbish is normally collected fortnightly, with recycling pick-ups taking place on other weeks.

Councillor Paul Tuthill, who represents Malvern Link at County Hall, said: "This really is an emotive issue in Malvern.

"It's a significant issue both politically and for the people of Malvern Hills."

The district councils collect the waste while the county council disposes of it.

A county council report, which was accepted last week by the Conservative cabinet, reveals how a "joint waste authority" could be an option if the financial details surrounding it could be established.

The review, led by Councillor Pollock and other backbenchers, found little appetite for a deal, mainly because of concerns from the district authorities about losing control over a key service.

But there is a feeling that attitudes may change if the savings can be established.