A total of 17 Bradford Council street cleaners are being laid off. The agency workers finish tomorrow with nine in Bradford and eight in Keighley.

Ian Bairstow, head of waste management and street scene, said: "We are not losing any permanent staff. In fact there are 20 more staff in the street cleansing service than there were a year ago and we are committed to maintaining a high quality service.

"However, we are always looking for efficiencies and as a result of a our normal review process we have decided to introduce some seven-day working and reduce other areas of the street sweeping service. As a result we are unfortunately having to let some agency staff go."

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