Complaints about missed bin collections in Edinburgh have risen by a third in the last year, according to new figures.

Between July 2015 and July 2016, there were 53,862 complaints about missed collections or overflowing bins up from 40,309 for the previous year.

The figures were released at a full council meeting on Thursday after a request by councillors in the Green party.

Green group convener Steve Burgess described the figures as "staggering".

He said: "These show the sheer scale of the problem which residents have had to put up with. And that is only the tip of the iceberg.

"For every complaint made there are bins which just go uncollected as residents resign themselves to another missed day."

The concerns have been reflected online, with disgruntled residents using Twitter to post pictures of their overflowing bins and press the council to arrange collections.

Mr Burgess added: "Leaving aside the obvious problems of street litter and smell, there is a longer term problem about use of the waste service.

"The city urgently needs residents to play their part in reducing waste, recycling more and driving down rubbish being sent to landfill.

"It is much harder to persuade residents to do that when the basic service is not even working."

In a response to Mr Burgess' question, city transport convener Lesley Hinds said: "Officers are continuing to work to improve this situation and are acutely aware that there need to be significant improvements made in this area.

"Throughout September, a new route management system will be trialled in waste collection with the aim of contributing towards this reduction."

She said she had also met senior officers to discuss reporting systems and feedback to residents.

The matter is due to be discussed in more detail at the next meeting of the transport committee.