Council officials are now using a modified electric milk float to collect residents' garden waste from outside their homes.

The community composting initiative was launched in Hartlepool earlier this year, following a successful bid to the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), which resulted in an award of £87,000.

Thousands of homes in the Brus, St Hilda, Dyke House, Jackson, Stranton, Rossmere and Owton wards are eligible to take part.

Residents' garden waste is collected every fortnight and taken for composting to Southbrooke Farm, next to the council's Summerhill country park.

Since May, 16 tons of garden waste have been collected and finished compost is about to be made available to recycling residents.

Clare Scott, Hartlepool Borough Council's recycling officer, said: "We are pleased with the success of the scheme and the milk float has certainly become a bit of a talking point in the areas where it operates.

"It just seems so appropriate to use such a green form of transport to support a project that is designed to reduce waste and help protect the environment."

Volunteers are needed to help with the kerbside collections and subsequent production of compost.

Anyone who is interested can contact Ms Scott on (01429) 523829.