Green councillor Mike Woodin has volunteered to help binmen in Oxford to find out what life is like on their rounds.

The city councillor is a member of the executive board, and waste management is part of his portfolio.

Cllr Woodin, a psychology lecturer at Oxford University's Balliol College, took part in training at the council's Cowley Marsh depot yesterday and will be emptying the bins next week.

He said: "I want to experience the job of collecting rubbish and recyclables, to get a better idea of operational requirements when it comes to developing policy."