THE Government has warned poorly performing councils that action could be taken against them if they fail to recycle enough household rubbish.

More local authorities than ever in the North-East are recycling more waste in line with targets set by the Government. But figures show that a handful are failing to keep up with the pace.

Yesterday, figures from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs showed Easington District Council and Sunderland City Council at the bottom of the heap.

Sunderland had the lowest recycling rate in the North-East - only seven per cent, although this was a four per cent improvement on the previous year.

Easington District Council's recycling rate actually dropped year-on-year to nine per cent.

Margaret Beckett, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, said single figure recycling rates were "no longer acceptable".

She said: "Environment Minister Elliot Morley will be engaging personally with each of the very poorest performers to ensure they receive the right support or, if they continue to demonstrate no commitment to improvement, to take stronger action."

However, a number of local councils were praised for their efforts in recycling.

Teesdale District Council, in County Durham, recycled or composted 17 per cent of household waste in 2003/04, compared with only nine per cent in 2002/03, and Gateshead Metropolitan Borough Council recycled 12 per cent compared with four per cent in 2002/03.