COUNTY Durham-based Premier Waste Management has won contracts to provide kerbside recycling schemes for both South Tyneside and Gateshead councils.

About 150,000 households will be involved across both boroughs and Premier expects the five-year contracts to create more than 40 jobs, including drivers, collectors and administration staff.

Each household will be able to sort recyclable glass, paper and cans into boxes provided for collection every fortnight.

Premier will empty the boxes and sort the materials to send on to reprocessors.

Gary Whitehead, of Premier, said: "We are investing heavily in equipment, facilities and new people to ensure we deliver a top quality service and look forward to playing a key role in promoting the benefits of recycling to householders in the region."

Premier is based at Prospect House, Aykley Heads Business Centre, in Durham.