Talks are continuing to end the bin strike which could hit North Ayrshire next week.

But North Ayrshire Council have now revealed what to expect if today's talks fail to find a resolution.

Unions and council bosses are holding talks in a bid to stop a strike among waste workers.

Staff in 26 of Scotland’s 32 council areas plan to walk out from August 14-22 after rejecting two previous wage increases by local government body Cosla.

However, the Scottish government has given councils extra funding to help them improve on that 3.2 per cent uplift.

The GMB, Unison and Unite unions will consider a deal if it is offered by the close of play on Friday, but a decision on whether to accept or reject it may not be made until Monday.

North Ayrshire Council has now revealed exactly what will happen if the strike does begin on Wednesday.

Residents are advised that bin collections are likely to be affected from next week as a result of planned industrial action.

Householders should continue to present their bins for collection as normal until the extent of the industrial action is known.

Priority will be given to the grey general waste bin and then the brown food and garden waste bin, if resources allow. The purple and blue recycling bins will be next in the priority list, if resources allow.

Unfortunately, there is no guarantee that all bins will be collected, and arrangements may change at short notice. Residents are advised to visit the Council website for latest updates as well as the Council’s social media channels.

Commercial waste customers should check the website for details of how their scheduled service may be affected.

Furthermore, special uplift collections will be suspended for the period of industrial action.

Residents are also advised that while they expect Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs) to remain open during this period, they should check the council website before visiting.

The HWRCs will continue to operate as normal ahead of the industrial action and residents can drop off waste and recycling before any potential service disruption.

Thomas Reaney, Head of Neighbourhood Services at North Ayrshire Council, said: “We are making every effort to keep disruption to a minimum however it is likely at this stage that normal waste collection will be interrupted.

“People should continue to put out their bins as normal. Our main focus will be collecting the general waste bins followed by the brown bin, if possible, and then the purple and blue bins.

“Unfortunately, this is a matter completely outwith our control and we ask that residents be patient as we try to continue to deliver a service.”