Refuse collectors have walked out with no bins being collected in the town since Tuesday.

And the council has now confirmed it does not expect to be able to empty bins until strike action ends on October 16.

As we approach the third day of industrial action, here's everything you need to know about the strikes.

Why are refuse collectors striking?

Unite the Union members have walked out over pay and conditions.

Earlier this week, Unite the Union regional officer Brian Troake spoke to the Warrington Guardian on the picket line.

He said how workers from the WBC Woolston depot are trying to secure a fair pay rise.

He said: “Historically over the last 13 years our members are 20 to 25 per cent worse off than they were in 2010.

“That is the equivalent of our members now working a five-day week but only being paid for four days which I am sure everyone will agree is unacceptable.

“People have had enough now and are starting to fight back. This is a small part of what is going on around the country.

“We stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters all over the UK and we are taking action in pursuit of getting a fair pay deal.”

More than 60 refuse workers joined the picket line outside the Woolston depot on Tuesday.

And it is understood that members of others unions have refused to cross the picket line, bringing the service to a standstill.

What has happened so far regarding bin collections in Warrington?

No bins have been collected in the town since Tuesday.

Last week, Warrington Borough Council said there would be little disruption.

However on Tuesday morning, it confirmed that no refuse collection vehicles were deployed.

And yesterday, Wednesday, the council revealed that due to staffing levels, no waste collection would be carried out again.

It said collections will be assessed on a day-to-day basis depending on staff available.

But this morning, it has been confirmed that no bin collections will be carried out until October 16 when strike action ends.

How long could the strikes last?

It is unclear whether bins will be collected for the rest of the week.

But the action by Unite is set to continue until Monday, October 16 – and there could also be more action called after that.

However a council spokesperson told residents to put their household waste and recycling out from today, Thursday, onwards, unless advised otherwise.

They said if they are not collected by 4pm then to bring them back in for storage until the next collection day.

What should I do with my uncollected rubbish?

The council has offered advice to residents during the next two weeks of disruptions when bins may not be collected.

• Flatten or squash as much household waste or recycling as possible, to maximise space in your bins

• “Pooling” bin space with your neighbours, for those who routinely create less household waste/recycling

• Keeping household recycling items indoors, if you have the space available and your bin is full

Recycling centres across the town have also extended their opening hours for the meantime.

Woolston and Gatewarth Recycling Centres will be open from 8am to 6pm from Monday to Sunday.

Meanwhile Sandy Lane Community Recycling Centre will be open from 10am to 4pm from Monday to Sunday.

A WBC spokesperson added: “We appreciate that the strike action will cause you disruption, and we are grateful for your patience and understanding during this period.

“We will offer a further update soon about how we will support the catch-up operation following the industrial action.”

Will I get my money back on my green bin subscription?

The green waste scheme has been extended due to the bin strike action.

Residents who pay a subscription to have their green waste bins collected every fortnight will still receive the number of collections they have subscribed to, the council says.