RESIDENTS of Gateshead will benefit from a £2.7m scheme to bring recycling to the doorsteps of 150,000 homes.

The Kerb-it recycling scheme will allow residents to store paper, glass and cans in a box that will be collected from the kerbside every fortnight.

The initiative will increase the amount of material recovered for recycling by almost a third.

Councillor Michael McNestry, of Gateshead Council, said it would make a big difference to the amount of rubbish which is thrown away.

The scheme has resulted in the creation of 40 jobs and it will be introduced to homes over a six-month period, beginning in March.