France, March 16 -- Striking refuse collectors are set to be forced to remove thousands of tonnes of rotting rubbish on Parisian streets after a top policeman took charge of the clean-up.

Laurent Nuñez, the capital's most powerful officer, ordered Paris town hall to send him names of refuse collectors in the city so that he could contact them and requisition their services.

His move follows the refusal on Wednesday night of Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo to force refuse collectors to clear up the piles of bin bags following a week of strikes over planned reforms to the retirement age.

Hidalgo said it was up to the government to sort out the reasons for the industrial action.

Refuse workers can currently retire at the age of 57 if they ...