THOUSANDS of blue bags have arrived in Darlington to help residents recycle more rubbish.

More than 45,000 bags will be distributed as part of Darlington Borough Council's kerbside recycling scheme, with information about collection dates during Christmas and the New Year.

The waterproof bags are for newspapers, magazines and junk mail. They should be placed next to the green recycling boxes that have been delivered to homes.

The council's Time to Recycle scheme, launched in September, collected more than 265 tons of recyclable items in its first two months of operation.

Anyone requiring more than one blue bag can telephone (01325) 388777.