A city's refuse collection crisis could be resolved after councillors were summoned to a crunch meeting.

Councillors who sit on Brighton and Hove City Council's policy and resources committee were asked to attend the talks later today.

Most of the session, at Hove Town Hall, is expected to be held in private.

It will be followed by a Press conference.

The meeting follows several days of talks between the council and contractor Serviceteam, which has already been made preferred bidder for the refuse collection and street cleaning contract.

A progress report by the council's environment director, Alan McCarthy, will be put before councillors at the meeting.

Sita has had its deadline to leave the city extended twice because of the protracted negotiations.

The most recent extension is due to end on October 14.

It has emerged the new contractor, when it takes over, will have to deal directly with complaints from the public.

Chris Morley, executive councillor for environmental services, said: "We are all aware of the lack of confidence in the Sita service in the eyes of a significant number of residents in Brighton and Hove.

"The contract was drawn up on the basis of the complainant calling the contractor direct instead of going through the council."