Military planners have been called in to help tackle mounting piles of rubbish on Birmingham's streets following a month-long strike by refuse workers. Unite union members have been on an all-out strike since 11 March is a row over pay,

Garbage continues to pile up on the streets of Birmingham. An expert in communicable disease explains the risks.

Birmingham City Council has declared a major incident as an estimated 17,000 tonnes of waste remain uncollected in the city after bin workers walked out on strike. With reports of giant rats and a worsening stench,