PEOPLE living on a Darlington estate were urged to join the recycling revolution yesterday - by the town's MP Alan Milburn.

The former Health Secretary joined borough council workers in taking to the streets of Red Hall in a bid to encourage more people to participate in the authority's Time to Recycle scheme.

The kerbside system has proved a success since its launch in September last year.

Green boxes and blue recycling bags were sent out to households to store items.

They are collected fortnightly, on the same day as normal refuse collection.

Sixty-five per cent of the town takes part in the scheme but the authority is keen to see participation levels rise in some areas, with Red Hall one of the first to be targeted.

Yesterday, Mr Milburn helped to deliver leaflets explaining the system to more than 200 homes on the estate.

Councillor Chris McEwan said: "By taking part in Time to Recycle, local people are helping to protect our environment for future generations. They are also helping to save money as recycling costs the council less than sending rubbish to landfill sites."