A scheme to recycle garden waste is being introduced.

About 15,000 households in the Easington area are to be offered the chance to take part in the scheme.

These will be selected in areas that produce large amounts of garden waste, and will see the old blue paperboy bins coming back into use.

Householders will be able to place grass cuttings, weeds, twigs and small branches into the bin, which be collected fortnightly and then used to make compost.

Last April, Easington council introduced the Kerb-it recycling scheme to help increase household recycling of paper, glass and cans.

It is now hoped that by adding recycling bins for green waste, the council will be better able to meet Government targets.

George Patterson, executive member for the environment said: "We want residents to increase recycling in all areas and using the blue bin for green waste is an ideal solution.

"If people use all our recycling services we should hit the Government's target of recycling or composting 18 per cent of household waste by 2005 to 2006."

He added: "If we fail to reach these targets, the Government may require us to use enforcement powers to make people recycle."