Floral tributes to the Queen will be “respectfully” removed from designated sites across Somerset on Wednesday.

Staff from district councils will begin respectfully removing tributes on Wednesday morning following the funeral of Her Majesty The Queen on Monday 19 September, as set out in Palace guidance.

Residents are encouraged to use designated sites for tributes and remove wrapping and decorations so flowers and foliage can be composted. Please also avoid leaving non-recyclable items, such as plastic tributes.

The designated sites for tributes are:

· Taunton Minster, St Mary Magdalene, Taunton.

· Yeovil Country Park - site is signposted on arrival and parking is free in Goldenstone’s car park during the period of mourning.

· Kings Square, Bridgwater.

· Highfield House, Cannards Grave Road, Shepton Mallet – near the district council offices.

There will be no waste collection or recycling site opening on Monday 19 September.

All collections – of recycling, rubbish or garden waste – will take place a day later than scheduled for the rest of the week, as is usual practice for a Bank Holiday week.

Collections scheduled for Friday 23 September take place on Saturday 24 September.

All 16 of Somerset’s recycling sites will also close on 19 September - including the 12 that usually open on a Monday (Bridgwater, Castle Cary/Dimmer, Chard, Cheddar, Crewkerne, Frome, Minehead, Street, Taunton/Priorswood, Wells/Dulcote, Williton and Yeovil).

Available crews will do their very best to complete all rounds on the Saturday 24 September. Any refuse or garden waste collections missed will be returned for as soon as possible. Any missed recycling will be returned for on Friday 30 September.

As an unplanned Bank Holiday, this change to the usual pattern is not be reflected in the printed collection days calendars. However, the “My Collection Day” online calendar at somersetwaste.gov.uk will show the one-day-later pick-ups.