A SUCCESSFUL kerbside recycling service is to be extended.

The paper collection service in the Hambleton district of North Yorkshire has seen a three per cent rise in recycling since it was introduced to 20,000 homes last year.

By September another 2,546 properties will be included, in Great Broughton, Osmotherley, Sutton-on-the-Forest, Huby, Stillington, Raskelf, Tholthorpe, Alne and Helperby as well as RAF Leeming.

Members of the district council's cabinet have agreed to further expansion and are investing another £25,000 into the scheme to take in another 8,000 homes.

It will mean 82 per cent of the district will be covered by kerbside collections. The move will complement the extension of wheelie bins.

Waste will be collected in two bins - green and black - on alternate weeks.

A wheelie bin pilot scheme covering 5,000 homes in the Thirsk area, proved so successful that 13,100 more homes from Bedale to the south of Thirsk will be added in September. The remainder of the district will join by 2005.

The council hopes to hit the recycling target set for it by the Government - which wants to see 24 per cent of all waste recycled by 2005.