A NEW team member has joined scientists carrying out pioneering environmental research.

Durham University PhD student, Ed Simpson, 22, is working on a project that aims to turn household waste into a compost-type substance for use in agriculture.

His research is based on a soil conditioner produced by the County Durham municipal solid waste aerobic digester, at Thornley, near Durham City.

The digester can transform up to 8,000 tonnes of rubbish a year, so that almost two-thirds of household waste can be recycled.

Mr Simpson is the fourth appointment to the university's waste research team.