THE North-East is continuing to recycle more rubbish, although it is still lagging behind other regions.

The Government said yesterday that provisional figures showed that about 16 per cent of household waste was recycled in the region in 2004/2005 - up three per cent.

It said the figures, which did not include details on individual areas, were a good indication of the level of progress.

However, the North-East is still recycling less than any other area. The national average was just under 23 per cent, with people in the East recycling most (29 per cent).

In 2003/2004 the region's best performer was Hambleton District Council, in North Yorkshire, which was recycling 24 per cent of household waste.

Sunderland, the worst, recycled only seven per cent.

However all councils are thought to have made big improvements since then.

The Goverment wants the national average to be 25 per cent by the end of the year.