RESIDENTS will soon have the chance to win cash prizes in return for recycling their household waste.

Ryedale District Council is launching the pilot scheme to try to encourage residents to increase the amount of waste they recycle.

Funding has been awarded to the York and North Yorkshire Waste Management Partnership by Defra to offer recycling incentives.

In an area of Malton, the pilot scheme will operate as part of the kerbside recycling collections for 1,300 homes until March 31 next year.

Every fortnight, one property with a recycling container out for collection will be selected at random and the occupants will receive a £50 cash prize.

Recycling officer, John Brown said: "The council hopes this will encourage residents to recycle their waste."