WIGAN Council has reassured residents who are not online that they will still be able to access a bin collection calendar.

The calendar will be available for residents to see using computers at libraries and life centres, said a councillor.

The waste collection calendar has been moved online to help the council save money after a significant reduction in funding from central government.

Calendars can be viewed on the council's website, then residents can download it and print it out.

But after residents demanded to know how those without internet access at home would manage, a councillor stepped in to provide an answer. Councillor Kevin Anderson said free internet access was available at libraries and life centres, where staff would help.

However in a letter to the Leigh Journal and Wigan Council, concerned resident Bob Yeoul, of Astley, queried what the council is going to do "to help those many thousands of rate payers in the borough who do not have access to the internet?"

In response, Cllr Kevin Anderson, executive member for environment for Wigan Council said: "With the public’s help, we are confident that through The Deal we can transform rather than slash services and protect those services that support the most vulnerable, such as social services for children and social care for adults.

"An important part of The Deal is to encourage residents to access services online.

"It is much more cost effective than printing leaflets for every household or staff repeating information over the phone.

"For those residents who are not on the internet at home, free internet access is available at venues across the borough including all libraries and Life Centres and our staff are prepared to give the assistance that is needed.

"Furthermore, residents who need support to access online services or improve their digital skills can access a free Get Online course at libraries to enable them to make the most of the internet.

"We also hope that the community can help, with friends, relatives, neighbours or carers assisting other residents to access their bin calendar.

"However, we are very aware of our responsibility to assist those in our communities who are especially vulnerable and where all other options fail we will send a printed calendar to them."

To book a place for a Go Online course call 01942 489009.

It has been estimated that Wigan Council's funding will be reduced by £60 million in the next five years, on top of £100 million that has already been cut.