A kerbside waste paper collection has diverted 300 tonnes of paper from landfill tips.

Due to its success, the scheme is to be extended to six more villages in Hambleton district.

Residents in Thornton-le-Moor, Thornton-le-Beans, South Kilvington, Knayton, Borrowby and Alanbrooke Barracks will join the scheme over the next few weeks.

This will mean that almost 55 per cent of the district will be taking part in the scheme which is operated on behalf of the council by the Yorwaste and Todd's Waste Management partnership.

It is operated by residents placing newspapers and magazines left in blue plastic recycling bags for collection once a fortnight.

Launched three months ago, the scheme's paper goes to paper mills for recycling into other products and to Middleham, where it is shredded for use as high quality horse bedding.

Waste Management spokes-man, Councillor Arthur Barker, said: "It doesn't matter how much paper is left in the blue bags - every little bit helps us to increase the amount of waste we recycle."