Rubbish and recycling collections have been disrupted after vandals damaged 20 trucks at a depot in Radley, near Abingdon.

It will cost more than £1,000 to replace smashed windscreens.

French-owned contractor Veolia has a fleet of 25 lorries at the depot in Thrupp Lane and runs services for the Vale of White Horse and West Oxfordshire District Councils. Vandals damaged 15 lorries used for collections in the Vale district and five in the west Oxfordshire district. Collections in both areas had to be rescheduled this week.

Collections in west Oxfordshire from kerbside recycling boxes will be delayed and will be made by vehicles brought in from other depots. In some areas glass collections will have to be done separately. Wheelie bin and business waste collections were not affected.

In the Vale district, brown bin collections and bulk waste collections had to be suspended today, and the council says residents will be advised about alternative arrangements.

A spokesman for Veolia said: "We started arranging windscreen repairs and vehicle replacement from neighbouring depots.

"We will be providing a residual and recycling service with green waste and bulk bins completed by the end of the week."

Security at the depot is to be tightened as a result of the break-in.

Police are appealing for witnesses to contact them on 08458 505505 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.