A RECYCLING team is to call at houses in the borough over the next six weeks to encourage people to go green.

Waste SMART starts its programme in Hurworth, visiting people at home to tell them more about the recycling facilities in Darlington.

Waste SMART stands for Sort Minimise And Recycle Team and is a government-funded project to promote waste awareness in County Durham and Darlington.

Last year, the team visited half the homes in the Darlington borough to find out what they thought of recycling schemes such as the kerbside green bin and blue bag initiative and to give out information.

Over the next six weeks, the remaining houses in the borough will be visited.

The team ride around the town in Smart cars and will hand out information leaflets detailing how everyone can get involved in recycling.

The leaflets also include a feedback form so people can give their views on recycling in the town - to improve existing facilities.

The team will also visit the regular farmers' market in the Market Place, and will be spending time in schools to spread the recycling message to people of all ages.

Stephen Harker, Darlington Borough Council's cabinet member for consumer and environmental services, said: "I hope people take this opportunity to chat to the team, read the leaflet and give their views on recycling in Darlington so we can make any changes to ensure everyone in the borough recycles."