A total of 17 Bradford Council street cleaners are being laid off. The agency workers finish today, 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.

"However, as a result of a review we have decided to introduce some seven day working and reduce other areas of the street sweeping service, so we are having to let some agency staff go."