MISSED rubbish collections attracted 87,000 complaints to Welsh local authorities in 2018 – with Ceredigion rated the best-performing authority of those which responded.

Figures obtained by the BBC via a freedom of information request reveal the number of complaints has risen by 39 per cent over the past five years based on figures from 16 of the 22 councils in Wales.

Factors such as bad weather, austerity and councils making the complaints process easier online have contributed to the rise.

The best performing council was Ceredigion, which received 1,598 complaints, while in Pembrokeshire there were 3,119 complaints and in Carmarthenshire 3,956.

The area with the biggest total number of complaints last year was Cardiff, Wales’ largest council, with 22,134, a 65 per cent rise since 2014.

A spokesman for Ceredigion County Council said: "The council makes considerable efforts to provide a consistent and reliable waste collection service.

"Unfortunately but inevitably, on occasion, issues affecting our staff and vehicles can impact on our ability to do this and when this is the case we have measures in place to inform and advise the public.

The council would like to take the opportunity to thank the public for their understanding and support when waste services are affected and for their efforts in general to help keep Ceredigion clean.

"The council looks forward to introducing a new waste collection service across the county during 2019 which will see a number of improvements which will include the collection of glass from the kerbside and will be delivered by a new fleet of vehicles."

The Welsh Government said: "Councils are responsible for their waste collection budgets and services. However we work closely with them as we work to meet our ambitious waste recycling targets. At present Wales is first in the UK, second in Europe and third in the world for household recycling."