THE identity of the company charged with collecting the contents of Swindon's dog waste bins will be known later today.

Directors from the council's environmental protection department will open envelopes from companies bidding for the contract at 2pm and the successful company is likely to be announced soon after.

Torquay-based SDK Kilsyth's contract with the council will be terminated on Monday, March 31. The new company has to be in place and ready to start work the following day.

It is understood that at least three companies have put in a closed bid for the contract, one of which could be Swindon Services, meaning the contract would effectively be kept in house.

Ian Ashmore, 34, for the council's environmental services, said: "As yet we don't know what price these bids are. But it's not always the cheapest option."

"Value for money is still very important, but under best value the council is looking for who would provide the best all round service.

"It's extremely important to get this sorted immediately."

Around 1.5 metric tonnes of dog excrement is removed from special bins across the borough each week as part of the council's £20,000-a-year contract.

The new contract will charge the successful company with emptying the 500 bins across Swindon and outlying parishes like Covingham and Stratton.

At least one of the companies bidding for the contract is from outside the borough, the very reason SDK decide to terminate its contract with the council.

The firm currently has to embark on a 185-mile round trip from its Slough base.