A key council worker narrowly escaped death or injury on Friday when a gas canister placed in a bin by a reckless Slough resident exploded in the collection lorry in the middle of Wellesley Road.

Slough Council chief executive Josie Wragg is appalled that one person's thoughtless behaviour could have put one of the dedicated collection teams at risk - at a time when their hard work is being recognised by the public with warm messages of thanks regularly left on bins.

Collection teams are still operating normally collecting waste and items for recycling weekly and garden waste fortnightly during the coronavirus public health virus.

Ms Wragg said: "Their lives were put in danger by someone placing a gas canister in their bin against council guidelines.

“On this occasion, it was lucky that none of our operatives were injured by the blast and the lorry was not seriously damaged.

“Sometimes gas canisters are mistakenly placed in the bins when they should be taken to Chalvey Household Waste and Recycling Centre and we remind residents of the responsible way to dispose of them safely."

The recycling centre is closed at the moment to prevent unnecessary journeys during the lockdown. So residents are being asked to keep items like gas canisters at home until it reopens.

The gas canister was placed in a bin in the central area of Slough however, so it is impossible to work out from which household the bin came from.

Unfortunately it was not first time this has happened - but council chiefs are hoping last week's explosion will serve as a warning for the future.