A STRATEGY to encourage Darlington residents to participate in the town's kerbside recycling scheme is being developed, a meeting was told last night.

A report to Darlington Environmental Forum revealed that participation rates for the Time to Recycle service, launched by Darlington Borough Council in September, were not as high as expected.

The amount of recycling material being collected was also under anticipated levels.

During the first month, 110 tons of recyclable items were collected, with a further 155 tons in the second month.

But the forum was told that the third month saw a marked improvement, with 357 tons collected.

The meeting heard that an education and marketing programme was being developed to encourage more people to take part.

Cliff Brown, the council's community services director, said: "The initial tonnage rates were not as high as anticipated, although collections and participation have gradually increased.

"The highest weekly collection to date was on the week commencing November 10, when 100 tons was collected."

He said participation rates throughout the borough had been mixed. They were as low as 20 per cent in some areas, but as high as 90 per cent in others.

"The average participation rate throughout the borough is approximately 45 per cent," he said.

"It is hoped that once the education and marketing plan is implemented, participation will increase in the areas where current collection is poor."

Scheme participants use green boxes to recycle glass, plastics, cans and textiles and blue bags for newspapers and magazines.

Mr Brown said residents were urged to use the blue bags even if they did not want to use the boxes.

He said the council hoped to include cardboard in the future, but it was not financially viable at the moment.

The Time to Recycle scheme will be extended to include hamlets and farms in the borough in the New Year.

Anyone who requires a green box or blue bag is asked to call (01325) 388777.