THERE will be changes made to council services over the festive period.

Many Wigan Council services will remain unaffected for residents but the main council offices will be closed from December 24 until January 2.

The council can still be contacted on 01942 404040 for emergencies and 01942 828777 for adult social care services.

The Children's Duty team will be available on 01942 828300 from 8.45am to 5pm on December 24, 27, 30 and 31. Residents should call the Central Duty team on 01942 828777 for all out of hours enquiries.

If residents need any welfare support during the Christmas period, details of all the opening times of life centres and welfare support services are available by visiting www.wigan.gov.uk/Docs/PDF/Resident/Benefit-Grants/Local-welfare-support-Christmas-Opening-Hours.pdf. Atherton, Ince and Platt Bridge life centres will all close at 1pm on December 24.

All libraries and leisure centres will be closed on December 25, 26 and January 1 and heritage services will be closed from December 24 until January 2.

Pennington golf courses will be unavailable on December 25, 26 and January 1. Further details can be found via leisure and culture provider, WLCT, at www.wlct.org/wigan.

Registrar Offices will be open on the December 27, 30 and 31 but closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.

Cemeteries across the borough will be open (for visitors only) as normal from 9am to 4pm every day during the Christmas and New Year period. No burials will take place on Christmas Day or Boxing Day.

There are changes to the days of refuse and recycling collections over the Christmas period. Residents should refer to their collection calendar for more information or find out dates online at www.wigan.gov.uk/recycling.

Residents can put Christmas trees in the green bin or take it to one of the borough’s Household Waste Recycling Centres.

All household recycling centres will be closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. Normal opening times will be in place on all other days.

If there are any council service changes due to extreme winter weather, please check the website www.wigan.gov.uk, social media feeds or listen to recorded messages by calling 01942 404364.

For further details on Christmas closedown arrangements, please visit www.wigan.gov.uk/Council/Winter/Public-Services-over-the-Festive-Period.aspx.