A LOCAL authority could secure an award for the quality of its recycling.

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council has been shortlisted to secure Beacon status for its waste and recycling management.

The status will mean the council will show others across the country how to maximise recycling. Redcar and Cleveland is the only North-East local authority to have been included on the national shortlist, and Government officials will make a three-hour visit later this year to carry out a full assesment.

Councillor Bob Stanway said: "It is a terrific achievement just to get on the shortlist. We are absolutely delighted, but we certainly could not have done it without the public's support."

The successful councils, from the 17 shortlisted, will be announced at a presentation in London in March.

Coun Stanway said: "We are looking forward to the challenge, and are confident our staff can rise to the occasion.

"The statistics are certainly very impressive; we have now got a recycling rate of 40 per cent, more than double the statutory 18 per cent target, and we are getting better all the time."

Staff at the council's Dormanstown recycling base are leading the way in encouraging recycling. Coun Stanway said: "All paper used internally is made from recycled fibres and our own workforce at Fairway House has the facilities to recycle paper, tins, cans, glass, plastic bottles, cardboard, fruit peelings and teabags."

The council's 25 refuse collection vehicles are now based at Fairway House, having moved from the nearby Warrenby depot, which had been their operational headquarters for more than 30 years. The depot is being converted to become part of the recycling centre.

The council has also announced a series of refuse and recycling advice surgeries in the borough's libraries.

For a full list of dates and times, go to www.redcar- cleveland.gov.uk