The reigning National Refuse Champions ' Aylesbury Vale District Council ' is preparing not one but two teams to defend its 2017 title including an all-female team of loaders and drivers preparing to take on all-comers.

David Clark, Transport Manager, Aylesbury Vale District Council (AVDC): 'Since winning the event last year there has been so much positivity across the crews and council departments, which is fantastic. It has been great for team-building. Now our female crew members are keen to show that they can beat the men'

This year, the charity event will take place on 16 June 2018 at Weston-super-Mare seafront. It was revived last year for the first time in over 10 years by Refuse Vehicle Solutions (RVS) and attracted 18 teams, including Biffa, Amey, Kier, Hills Waste and Swindon Borough Council.

In all, they raised more than £12,000 was for the Alzheimer's Society. But such was the success of the event that more than 30 teams have already signed up to take part in 2018.

Spencer Law, managing director of RVS and founder of the NRC, said: 'I've wanted to recreate the National Refuse Championships for years but it wouldn't have been possible without the amazing support and generosity of friends, family, staff and the waste management industry. We are well under way with preparations for this year's event which is going to be bigger and better'

Aylesbury Vale District Council was so proud of winning the event that it is featured in its current recruitment campaign. The slogan 'Recruiting Now! Join Our Champion Collection Crew ' Winners of the 2017 National Refuse Championships' is being advertised on the side of some of the council's new fleet of state of the art refuse vehicles.

David Clark said: 'It was an excellent opportunity for people to get to know each other outside of work. When we returned, after winning the event, we were famous for a while. People were congratulating us; we were interviewed by the regional TV news; and we received emails from staff, councillors and members of the public. It has been great for morale and motivation.

'We are quietly confident that we can defend our title. However, there are more teams this year and the event is getting bigger so there's more pressure'

The event starts on Friday 15 June with an exhibition and networking event run by RWM, which includes key speakers and seminars followed by an evening of entertainment.

The refuse vehicle team races run from 10am until 4pm on Saturday 16 June followed by a party with live music.