ENVIRONMENT chiefs in North Yorkshire have said they are close to finding a solution to the county's mountain of old fridges.

About 20,000 fridges are being stored at a depot in Hessay, near York, awaiting safe removal.

Waste management firm Yorwaste says it is close to finding someone who can take them away and dispose of them safely and economically - possibly by the end of the year.

Managing director Steve Grieve said: "We are currently looking at two to three strong tenders for the removal of the fridges.

"The interest has come not only from treatment companies elsewhere in Britain, but also in Germany."

Mr Grieve said the companies all claimed they could begin removing the fridges in September or October.

Moving old appliances to Hessay is already costing council tax payers thousands of pounds.

Last year's bill was £2,600, and this year's is estimated to be £10,400, while the cost of storage is expected to top £60,000 this year