GREEN-thinking shoppers at Asda's South Bank store in Middlesbrough have proved they are tops when it comes to recycling steel cans.

A survey of shoppers, carried out by steel manufacturer Corus, in association with Asda, found that 80 per cent of those quizzed were committed to metal can recycling.

The survey was aiming to find out what people know about steel can recycling and exactly how many steel cans can be recycled.

Only 23 per cent of respondents knew that aerosol containers, such as deodorants and air fresheners, could in fact be recycled as steel cans.

Today sees the launch of The Big Recycle, an annual campaign to promote and spread the recycling message.

One of the main aims is to encourage people to start recycling, and to encourage those who already recycle to recycle more.

Many products can be recycled - glass and plastic bottles, newspapers, metal cans, batteries, cardboard, textiles and clothes and garden waste.

John May, manager of Corus Steel Packaging Recycling, said: "The results of this research have shown Middlesbrough has a very positive and proactive approach to steel can recycling and, when compared to the other towns where we have conducted this research, the town comes out on top in terms of the number of people recycling their steel cans.

"For those people in Middlesbrough who are already recycling we want to say thank you and keep up the great work."