RESIDENTS are mucking in - by the truck load - to ensure the success of a recycling scheme.

People in Redcar and New Marske have provided almost 140 tonnes of recyclable green, garden waste for composting after two weeks into the launch of a recycling scheme.

Collection rates in Saltburn, Guisborough and Marske leapt from 20 tonnes in the first week to a high of 86 tonnes last month.

Councillor Bob Stanway, Redcar and Cleveland Council's cabinet member for environmental improvement, said: "Our green waste collections are proving extremely popular and we are delighted that so many people realise the importance of recycling waste and doing their bit to support the recycling targets Government has set us."

The council launched green waste collections in February and the remaining households in the borough with a garden will be provided with their green waste wheelie bin over the next two weeks, with collections starting mid-May.

Councillor Stanway said: "I'm confident tonnage rates will keep increasing as the scheme rolls out to the rest of the borough and the council continues to promote the scheme. Residents should follow their calendar to see when the collections take place.

"If any residents who do not have a garden want to recycle green waste, we can make special arrangements. Just ring our customer contact centre on 08456 126 126."