Council bosses are on the lookout for new HGV drivers in Southend.

Veolia, Southend Council’s main contractor, is specifically searching for drivers in the town in a bid to bolster its workforce in the East of England.

Experienced and newly qualified drivers are invited to apply for positions, while anyone interested in starting a career as a HGV driver is also welcome.

Salaries of up to £36,000 are on offer and bosses are looking for both full and part time workers.

Category C licence holders are needed by Veolia, which is responsible for collecting household and recycling waste in Southend.

The job description on Veolia’s website adds: “As a driver at Veolia, we will train you to complete your recycling and waste collection rounds safely and effectively.

“Your typical day starts and ends at your local depot, where you will pick up any special instructions and check your vehicle.

“During the course of the day, you’ll work with your crew, managing your own time to complete the work and leave all collection areas clean and tidy.

“If you have any problems during the round, you will be able to contact the depot for management assistance.”

It comes amid a shortage of HGV drivers across the UK, which is causing supply problems for supermarkets.

The shortage is also driving concerns about fuel, which has led to panic buying and long queues outside petrol stations since Friday.

The Government has put the army on standby, meaning soldiers could be brought in to drive patrol tankers in the UK.

For more information about the positions available at Veolia click here.

To keep up to date with the fuel crisis in Essex, follow our live blog.