AN new recycling scheme is to be tried out in Saltburn next week.

The pilot scheme will recycle garden waste from households into compost for local allotments and farmland.

The project will be launched next Wednesday and will involve kerbside collections from homes in the town.

Residents will receive degradable sacks, an information leaflet and a calendar with collection dates in the coming days.

Anthony Smith, Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's recycling officer, said: "We were encouraged by a very positive response from a questionnaire we sent out to 2,500 residents in Saltburn.

"The feedback was excellent and if the scheme is successful, we will extend it in phases across the borough.

"Our key objective is to reduce the amount of biodegradable waste going to landfill and incineration as well as increasing the proportion of waste either recycled or composted across the borough."

Weekly kerbside collections will be undertaken throughout the summer and garden waste - such as grass cuttings, weeds, prunings and leaves - will be taken to a local allotment site for composting.

Up to 30 per cent of the waste collected will be available for allotments and the rest will be used for farmland.

Mr Smith added: "Collections will continue across the calendar year, scaled down to monthly pick-ups in the winter months."

An assessment of the scheme will be made next April."

Home composting units are available from the council's nursery at Kirkleatham Village, Redcar, at a cost of £14 for the 220-litre size and £17 for the 330-litre one.

Bagged recycled products are also available, including soil conditioner, mulch, top soil and wood chip at a cost of £1.30 per bag. The products are also available loose for delivery at £15 per tonne.For further information call (01642) 776952.