LABOUR has hinted at a return to weekly waste collections if it wins control of Oxford City Council in May's elections.

Last night, the group said it would consider switching from the current fortnightly arrangement if it gained control from the Liberal Democrats.

Currently, the Lib Dems run a minority administration with 16 councillors.

Labour has 19 seats, the Greens seven, the Independent Working Class Association four and Conservatives two.

Half the city council's 48 wards are up for grabs in May.

The concept of wheelie bin-style rubbish rounds was a Labour idea, but it was introduced by the Lib Dems.

And since November last year, debate has raged across the city as to how waste should be collected.

Labour group leader Bob Price: "We're open minded. It would depend on the finances and we don't want to undermine the success of the recycling drive.

"The evidence seems to be there is a reduction in the amount recycled if you go back to weekly collections.

"We recognise that on the doorsteps there is a call for a return to weekly collections in many parts of the city.

"It's clearly something any administration has to be looking at as part of the overall analysis of what would provide the best service for the city.

"But the financial question is the paramount one - we couldn't do anything that would make the situation worse."

Recycling rates have risen since fortnightly collections started in November last year.

Kathy Barber, 65, of Aston Street, said: "Inner city areas are different from the rest of the county so I'd welcome a return - it's what we need.

"People are behind the recycling, it's just the coll- ection of rubbish - we can't store any more bins."

Justin Walden, from East Oxford, added: "The scheme isn't working as far as I'm concerned and feel the council doesn't listen."

The city's new waste collection arrangements cost £2.1m to implement.

Councillor Jean Fooks, responsible for the scheme, said the city council would introduce a pilot scheme next year where food waste would be picked up from doorsteps on a weekly basis in some parts of the city.

She added: "I think we're beyond the point of no return and most people are actually happy with the scheme. The pilot scheme next year will not cost as much as returning to weekly collections."