DEDICATED waste collection services are being planned to coincide with a Jewish festival next week.

Refuse crews will be visiting addresses from next Friday to collect items thrown out by residents as part of the Passover celebrations.

Rubbish will be picked up through a series of individual collections from designated roads throughout the borough as well as via a free pre-booked collections scheme from addresses not on the route.

During the religious festival, Jews are encouraged to throw out any food which rises, including bread, rice and pasta in commemoration the fleeing from slavery of the Hebrews in Egypt.

Barnet Council have reminded people wishing to recycle their food waste that they can place it, without packaging, in green waste bins.

Anyone without a green bin can claim one through the council.

Collections will take between 7am - 5pm on Friday 26, Sunday 28 and Monday 29 March.

Council bosses are asking residents to put items securely in sacks and bags outside their homes no later than 5pm.

A list of designated roads is available to view on the Barnet Council website www.barnet.gov.uk/pesach-collection or residents can call 020 8359 5005 to find out which roads are included.

A full list will also be made available to all Barnet synagogues.

For a free pre-booked Pesach collection or to book the delivery of a green bin, residents should call 020 8359 5005 or email pesach@barnet.gov.uk.

Phone lines and email will be open from 9am on the March 15, to 5pm on March 29.