The number of attacks on binmen has doubled as homeowners reportedly vent their frustration about complicated recycling rules.

The number of attacks on refuse collectors has risen from 159 in 2013 to 309 in 2016, according to statistics obtained by the Daily Mail.

The Freedom of Information requests revealed to the paper:

The Local Government Authority wants attackers to serve prison sentenced.

Heather Wakefield, head of local government at Unison, told the newspaper: "Residents might feel irritated that their bins are not being emptied as often or that they now have to pay for garden waste to be taken away, but it's not the fault of refuse collectors nor that of the local authority."

An LGA spokesman said: "The LGA's polling shows more than eight in ten of the public are happy with the way their bins are collected."