The weekly bin service was axed in 2004 and replaced with fortnightly collections but the controversial move has been much-debated ever since.

In 2006, hundreds of householders started a campaign to bring back the weekly collections of non-recyclable waste with a petition to Chorley Council.

The Labour group at Chorley Council has now called for the move to be reversed but Conservative council chiefs say it would come at a high cost.

The council's contract with Veolia, the firm collecting bins on behalf of the council, expires in 2009 and town hall chiefs are looking at bids from rival companies.

Coun Dennis Edgerley, leader of the Labour group at Chorley Council, said: "For an extra 22p per household per year we can have weekly bin collections while maintaining our recycling commitments. In addition to this we can reduce the number of vehicle movements for waste collection which has an even greater benefit to our environment.

"Given that these proposals can be delivered without significant extra cost the Labour group are urging the council to discuss this with the successful tenderer for the new waste contract.

"Labour is committed to providing a first class service for all local residents. We hope that the Conservative controlled council share this aim."

Chorley Council launched a probe into the collection of recycling early last year after mounting complaints from residents who were unhappy with the service by Chorley Council's contract firm Cleanaway.

Coun Peter Goldsworthy, leader of Chorley Council, said: "The Labour group had the opportunity earlier this year to present an alternative budget to the one I proposed and they did not mention weekly bin collections at the time.

"They would know otherwise that if they costed it properly that we can't afford it.

"They have now sent me a proposal I am looking at and it calls for the introduction of weekly bin collections, which Labour got rid of several years ago and we supported them at the time.

"We also have the evidence that the vast majority of people in Chorley are happy with the current arrangements."